IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) I.C U£ 1^ 12.2 ■ I.I l"^ IM 1.25 i 1.4 1.6

•> *.'' ^ ••• \ '» «■ ■» JUafcbant and Calabii), Printers, Ingram-Coitrt* FeiicIiiirc)i ^1 4 ! APPENDIX. Ne. 1. Canadian exports for the last ten years • 300 2. Value of the Canadian exports in the years 1800 and 1810, shewing their rapid increase • • • • 304 — Value of the exports made from our North Ame- rican provinces for- five years, ending in 1810 • • • • 310 — <• Value of the imports of British manufactures into those provinces 311 — Value of the imports into Great Britain from our American provinces 313 3. British duties and countervailing duties 310 4. American duties and countervailing duties 318 6. The high price of British ships contrasted with the price of foreign ships 320 6. The quantity of lumber, flour, provisions, &c. for the supplying of our West-Indian settlements* • • • 321 7. Amount of the tonnage of ships annually built, and also of the quantity of oak timber annually used in Great Britain 323 8. Amount of the tonnage of British ships employed in our trade with our North-American colonies, with the amount of their earnings in that trade • • 324 I \\ % , , ( j( III in l! il r> i« Tl CONTENTS. No. 9. Tlif present importance of our colonies in America, compared with the value which those we have lost were to Great Britain, at the commencement of the late American war 325 10. A compurativc statement of the imports made into (ircat Britain from the United States and her own American colonies 326 11. Compaiative statement of our exports to the United States and her own American colonies respectively 328 12. Value of British imports, and the proportion of which is made up of freight,— how much of such freight is the earnings of British ships, and what proportion of those earnings arises from the trade of our American colonies 330 13. Value of British exports 331 14. The amount of the tonnage of the American ship- ping exceeds that of all the British shipping em- ployed in trade 332 15. Amountof the tonnage of British merchant shipping 333 10. Shipping annnally entered inwards in the trade of Great Britahr, shewing the proportionate amount of British tonnage, the amount of foreign tonnage, and the proportion entered inwards in the trade with our American colonies » 334 17. Shipping annually cleared outwards in the trade of Great Britain, shewing the proportionate amount of British tonnage, foreign tonnage, and the pro- portion cleared outwards in thetraae with our North- American colonies 335 18. The quantity of fish annually exported from the British North-American colonies, and the quantity annually imported into our West-Indian settlements 33ft PREFACE. ^ ^•*>9^^'^^ 0^0^^^^ THE author's principal motives for laying the following pages before the public is, to shew the importance of the Canadas, in order to draw attention to their present perilous situation, with a view to adequate measures being taken for their defence ; and to point out the errors by which the interests both of the British ship-owners and North- American colo- nists have been sacrificed to the Americans, that the like mistakes may be guarded against, in any negotiations with the American govern- ment. From several years residence in these colo- nies, and his experience in their commercial VIII PRKFACK. roiiconiH, and from tlic iiifoniuitioii ]\c Iuih rolUvtrtl froiii variouH cliniinelH, hut particular- ly tlu' inntfM'ials \\v had rolh'rltMl lor a StaliN- iical Arcouiit of Caiiadn, which he has lu^arly roady for puhliratioii, ho flallrrs liiiiisrlf he has h«»oii niahlrd to i^oiuiiiuiiicalt* som<» vt'ry useful iiiforiuatioii res|)ectnig their iinproveahh* resources. For much iiiforiuatiou which the author has receivelonies and the fr^idit. \ INTKODVCTION. XX\ and expense incurred in importing it from fo- reign comitrieSf to which an addition should lie made to secure a preporulerance in favour of our own colonics. As we cannot, consis- tently with equity and justice, charge the tim- ber of different countries at different rates of duties, but must charge the same amount upon all foreign timber indiscriminately, it is, there- fore, necessary to compare the amount of ex- pense on all the foreign timber imported into this country, and take the expense upon that imported at the cheapest rate, as a maximum for ascertaining the amount of the protecting duty. Suppose, for instance, that the freight and other expense upon timber imported from the following countries, to be — from the British colonies in North America, £6; from the United States, £6; from Russia, £2: 15; and from Prussia, j£2: 10 ; the difference between the ex- pense of importing timber froni Prussia and from our colonies in America, the one being J^2 : 10 and the other jC6, is .£3 : 10 ; and, suppose 5s, per load added, to give a preponderance in fa- ■Mi 4 i\^\ n ■ ^y xxu INTRODUCTION. \oiir of our own colonicH, £3 : 15 per load is therefore the proteclinj;^ duty which ouj;hl to be charged upon all foreign timber indiscrinii- nately. These remarks concerning timber may, per- haps, he considered rather prolix. Upon con- sidering, however, that, with respect to the ex- pense of importation, the gross amount of the present duty charged upon foreign timber is not even sufficient to put our own American colonies upon an equality with the countries upon the Baltic, &c. ; — that part of this duty is only a war-tax, to cease in six months after a peace ; — and, that it is even probable that foreign courts may be at this very moment using their influence to have this duty reduced, whilst our colonists and ship-owners may re- main in ignorance of what is going on, till they hear their fate in ihese interests for years to come officially announced; — upon considering and reflecting upon these circumstances, it is con- ceived not irrelevant, but, on the contrary, re- quisite that we should enter more minutely into detail upon a subject, which, of all others, INTRODUCTION. XXIU it must he adiiiittci), is of the vrry first iiiugui' tude to the British sliippiiiu^-intcrcst. The annual (h'niniid of our West-Indian set- tlements for lumber is about I47,27r> tons For au^ricnltural produce about 7"2,4J)9 For fish about 32,(»0:J Tl lis 252,377 tons* is sufficient to have loadedabout2IO,31.'>rei;ister tons.j* Upon an average of three years, pre- vious to the interruption of our commercial in- tercourse with tbe United Slates, the Ameri- cans furnished of this demand th(* enormous proportion of 211,043 tons, with which they must have cleared out at least 175,870 register tons of shipping. By attending to the facts which I shall state, it will be found that our own colo- nics were capable of furnishing these articles, in sufficient abundance, for the supply of our ! '4 I' , i * See No. C, in the Appendix. t Many of the vessels used in supplying the West Indies with American produce are small sharp fast-sailing vessels, which will scarcely carry tons niea«*urement equal to their register tons. ^! XXIV INTRODUCTION. West-Indian settlements ; and, consequently, this privilege granted to the Americans was alto- gether unnecessary. The adequacy of our Ame- rican provinces to furnish agricultural produce in sufficient abundance for the supply of our West-Indian settlements, may, compared with their resources in other produce, perhaps, be considered the most questionable. The causes, however, which I have assigned, for hitherto preventing the improvement of their resources in this respect, and the means which would prove effectual in improving these capabilities, so as to produce supplies adequate to all our demands, will, I trust, be found quite satisfac- tory upon these important points. Indeed, the interests of the nation renders it the impe- rious duty of his Majesty's ministers, on ente- ring into any negotiations or conuuercial ar- rangements with the American government, adequately to inform themselves respecting the great and improvable resources of our North-American provinces, and detect the mistaken policy of our late commercial regu- lations, by which they w^ere sacrificed to INTRODVCTIOK. XJKf the United States, so as to avoid similar er- rors. Amongst the sacrifices made to the Aioerif- cans, the principal are to be found in the openv ing of the ports of our colonies to their shipSt^rr in the advantages allowed them in the counter* vailing duties charged by them and us respeC' lively, — and in the admission qf their produce into this country, at lower duties tlian tlws^ charged upon the produce of other foreign 7iar iions. In thefcie, the sacrifice of British ship* ping, and tlie injury doae to British inerchantif and British manufacturert^, and our North-Ame- rican colonists, are immense. Nothing, surely, could have been more im- politic tluin to have allowed them to hav6 sup- plied our colonies with masts, spars, square timber, deals, or staves, or any otli .r descrip- tion of lumber, considering our owji Vruerican colonies are evidently capable of sii^)ijlying even double the demand, both of the mother- country and her colonies ; yet they were allow- ed and even encouraged to supply our colonies in every part of the world with these bulky articles. v.^ I ¥^• i:« »( XXVI INTRODUCTION. ir' Could the amount of the American tonnage employed in their trade to our colonies in Eu- rope, in Africa, and in the East Indies, be cor- rectly ascertained, and adding the amount of the tonnage of the lumber they imported into this country to the 175,870 tons cleared out annually in their trade with our Wesl-Indian colonies, the amount would be found to be enormous. There is no doubt but that the amount of tonnage, which ihey employed in these direct spoliations upon British commerce, bore a very large proportion to the whole amount of tonnage we employed in foreign trade. The injuries we sustained, by the trade which the Americans w^ere allowed to carry on with our colonies, was, however, not merely confined to our shipping interest. Their inter- course with our West-Indian possessions has always been attended with smuggling: they imported East-Indian and Chinese produce and manufactures largely into these settle- ments ; and smuggled out sugars in return. In their trade with our East-Indian posses- sions, too, they could import East-Indian and INTRODUCTION. XX VII Chinese produce and manufactures in such quantities^ and at, comparatively, such low prices as to enable them almost entirely to supply our West-Indian and North-American colonies. It follovv^s, from their direct trade with the East Indies, that they can import India goods into the United States at a much lower rate than that at which the like articles could be imported from London through our East-India Company ; consequently, vast importations were made for their own consumption, which super- seded a proportionate consumption of British manufactures. The duty charged, by the East-India Com- pany, upon the American trade with our East-Indian possessions has been, by some, held forth as an equivalent for this privi- lege. This is an argument too absurd to merit notice. But, as it has been advanced in support of the measure, even by some of our legislators, it may, therefore, be ob- served, concerning its absurdity, that it is no more reasonable than it would be to exclude British ships from the port of London and .1 ■' i 1 ' i ) \a'1 If 1 i : ] 1 i t • 1 1 u -1 \ ii n XXVIll IJVTRODUCTION. endeavour to render tlic nieiisure palatable by urging the imposition of a duty. The trade must pay the duty, and whenever it or any other trade ceases to afibrd a profit, after pay- ing duties and otlier expenses to which it is liable, it will, indeed it must, be discontinued. The British government, therefore, instead of ha- ving opened the ports of our Asiatic settlements to the /Americans, ought rather to have opened them to a general trade with the British islands and strictly to have observed the law which prohibited foreigners from any participation in the trade of our colonies. For it is to these wise laws, which were held sacred by our ancestors, that we are indebted for ships, colonies, and commerce. The advantages allowed the Americans in the countervailing duties charged by them and us, respectively, will be found to have been enormous. These res^ active duties were, no doubt, about equal in point of per centage upon the other duties charged: the Americans and us charged 10 per cent, respectively; but they differ inouii hund) ers,— per tc Th< lower produ nnjust own C( ping w advant t'Ontrai itt irrst ninnirs ; — iii iavoiii' ot Aiucnca, Willi illi whom w'v an» now al war, and who looks at our (vxljiisivi^ and iuiproviiijH' ooh)Ilil^s alont; her fronlirrs with a jrah)ns vyv, straininj;' cvt'ry iHMVo to wresi iVoin ns \\ivsv most iinpori.ani pojs^t'ssions, llu' IrnuH' of whiih, wi; in a i»roal nirasnre owr to I ho loyalty and palriolisiu of thoir iniiahitanfs. Ain( rica is lhoronj;T.ly aware of the value and n'rowini;- importance of these colonies, and shapes her eonrse accordingly ; she knows that wluMi the mother-country is under a state of seclusion from the continent, these colonies are capahK of supplying: h^*** with various articles of the most material importance, — with articles for which, althonjrh essential to her ditical (j Hi never the- 'Xistence, less been dependent upon Uie precarious sup- plies of her very enemies. But exclusive of these advantajjes which the mother-country derives from the natural pro- duce of these possessions, we must look to their growinn* importance to her as a market for her mauufactures, which, for want of demand, ' t '. ii li innrisu amkhk an coloniks. ;i ^ liavo of laic yv'ATH bfMii at liiiujs rottiiifj; ill unr wiiie]M>iiHt'M, and conyLMjiuiiUy many oi' our vahi:i))l<; auclianicH were ninhnul ilrslilulc of lluir iisiial iiuMins of siipporl, and liurehy exposed to lliat spirit of ri(»l and dis<(>nl«'nl, wliicli li;is so lately convulsed the northern counties, and spread confusion over districts whi(!h, previously to lhes(? disastrous occurn^nces, had been the scene of connnercial industry and domestic <:oniforl. 1 have already observed, that one of the main objects, which 1 have in view, is to draw attention to the critical situation of the British provinces, particularly the Cana- das, in constM|uence of the pn^sent war. I shall, therefore, l)y way of shew inj( their iiripor- tance to Great Britain, in order to stimulate her to ade((uale measures for their defence, take notice o*" the topographical characteristicH of these colouies and several features of do- mestic policy, with re^fpect to their relations with the mother-country, with the British set- tlements in the West-Indies, and with the United States, which appear of most essential consequence, to be minutely investigated and »*.«(. s'.t /' I I ,: . lii I; \\ 1 1 t- 10 iMiMMii VNn tiK rm: iniHini'lx nnisHii ird. \\\\U rrlrrmrr In iiiiv lU'UodtHions. (or i)i«> trnniiiiilioii ol lioNlililiiM VU il »rs«< onsrrviilhMis, liourvd'. mil lir imhimm hM)«' ('ui't)in- \\\\\\\ \\wvv\\ In inijMrMH «lifiliiH lly nn«i nuphiHinilly Mh' iin|)or(>iiirr (iT llio miiIi- liHornmlion of this kind uill. no donlil, inix'sonir MiM^hl ni \\w <'sliinnlion ol our Ir^is- \;\U ois, \\hni('>soluloly nrrrssiiry. in onlrr lo nsrrvl;\ni tho uiMniino i\H«M'rslM, ttolli ol* llu' mo 1) lor-toinUrv axu \ ol 1) \o\' rolt)nH'M 1 MS. \villioiil n rorrorl knoulrdiio ol' snrli piniifMiliUN. it wonhi l>(Mn))M>Nsil)lo to {\n'\\\ nny ndiMinnto idra o( \]\v r\l« nt \o wliirli tlu\v nii^ht l»o rmdrnd ;n:\i);^l>l(' to iUcM l^rituin, nor \\\\\\\ polili<*id tH jiu]:Ui«>ns >vonld lio Ixst r!dA' ]»oliti<';d roji'nlalions or l«^i:i>vl:\tiv(^ onacMn^ *- \m\\c Inthorto Immmi so inucl< tuisri>nri i\(Hl and misdirootod, as lo iu)p;\ir niain ol' thoso vahiahlo (Mpahililii's inhv lont iii those provinces, and the prineipU^ V Illllll'^ll AIMIMK \N Mif.nMlM. ft l»y \> llM ll lIlI'MI' IIMImI IIM|Milll|r IMDMUriM liiivr lirt II iiilcii'MlM i;! IIm AiiMri MIIIM. \\ llM h II itivr, I'Vil' Hiiirr llMir iimI<|m iKhiirf il< Imm'Ii niir Nil III riii'iiiy, iiiiil iit'c iiMw in o|Mi poMilinii, vviiirli il m my iMi Mi'iil nlijirl lo Miili'tiri(it>>il ol»|r<' 1. oj* jilliM'k l»y Mir AimricJiiiM, him! roiiS!li>.ilr, in iiiiiiiy n's|M'f-lH, llif! iiiohI, iiriporhiiil <>( our Aiiiniciiii |ioHH<'HHioMH, I mIuiII \ii- iiturc |»;ir- lirnhir vvilli irHprrl lo Mirsr provirir^^H. Till, imohI imporhinl ;i(lvjifiljij!;<"« vvliirfi <]\h- Mii^nisli Mm' HriliHli coloniis in Aiiurirji ur*'.\\tf'. vsimI \\Ui\ inixliJiiislilili' TomsIh of vjiliiahh; Mrn- Imt wlii<;li alioiind lliroii;:;fioiil. Mi*; wfioU; ; Ihfi rxcrllnil ijiiulily of Mi« hiricl vvliirh prf(lr>mi- nnlrs, piirliciilarly in Mk; (j.in.'ifhH ; anrl Mk; ' lift 4''!|l 1 1 ^ .1. ' t I r'5 I ! it ) J ^ I ! f < i i f ' ' I 12 IMPORTANCE OF THE ^;»; V. / 1 extentive variety of productive fisheries which surround their coasts. Upon reaching Quebec, in ascending the Si. Laurence, the country begins to improve in point of fertility, and upon reaching St. Anns, which is sixty miles above Quebec, a tract of the finest and most fertile laud in America, commences upon both sides of that river, and continues upwards to the ex- tremity of Lake Superior, being a length, from St. Anns, of about Jifteen hundred miles. Unquestionably this vast extent of country, advancing in such rapid progress of improve- ment, — the superior quality of the soil, and its other important advantages, have excited the envy and jealousy of the government of the United States, and had the most powerful influence for commencing the pre- sent war. My own opinion is, that their cupidity for these colonies has been a much stronger stimulus, than the ostensible pretext, relative to the impressment of their seamen. The American government is fully aware that the produce of all that part of their territory which lies upon the St. Laurence and the i\r BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. IS "n )!' Lakes, from Lake Chaniplain upwards, must be exported through the river 8t. Laurence ; and that, by tlie same channel, the inhabitants of that extensive territory must consequently ])e supplied with foreign produce and manu- factures. The Americans, no doubt, conceived this the most favourable opportunity, which would ever occur, for wresting the Canadas from Great Britain : for, hitherto, the people who inhabit the northern parts of the United States, are, as will be made appear here- after, still in complete ignorance of the ex- tent to which they can be benefited by having the English along their frontiers ; and from hence, they more easily become dupes of their own government, respecting misrepresentations of their interest in this respect. When the Americans see an extent of up- wards of 1200 miles of their frontier-settle- ments, now closing in union with those of the English colonies, and are thoroughly apprised that this is a door opening to British com- merce, which will not only prove profitable both to the English and their colonists ; but also know, that it will prove advantageous to ' 'l|.,..!, ,; ¥{H HI II: i 1',. i •"tf /:; I I I I' 1 1; I \4 IMPOHTANf F, Ol' TFIR all siicli of their own rili/<>tis ;ik iiili:iliil liial extensive <'oinilrv alonu, llie (^niadian iVoiilierhi, and liierefori' know llial at any ailer period it ini^iil he very ii;;tli, which is also about two hiiiMhMl inih.'s ; and its cxlniiM' hnadlli, from tilt' ^ulph of 8l. Laurence to Ihe line which divides the province from the stale of Main, is about one hundred and twenty miles. l)f these two provinces New Brunswick only borders u|)on the United States; the leui^lh of this communication is about two liundred and twenty miles. The province ol Lower Canada extends from the mouth of tlie St. Laurence, upwards to St. Regis, about sixty miles above Montreal; being a length of about six hundred miles, upon that noble river, from whence it derives many of the important local advantages which it so eminently enjoys. On the south it is bounded by the British province of New Brunswick, and the states of Vermont, and New York. From Cape Ilo- ziers upwards, for more than one hundred miles, the country consists of barren rocky mountains, and is therefore unsettled ; but be- yond that distance it is settled to the upper extremity. The breadtii of this part of the province lying upon the south side of the St. r !«■ I fu. ' rt 16 IMPORTANCE OF THE f I 1 Laurence is very irregular ; its greatest breadth may be about one hundred miles, and the average perhaps about sixty. That part of the province Avhich lies upon the north side of the St. Laurence has Upper Canada for its upper boundary ; the division line between the two provinces commencing from the St. Laurence at a point about twenty miles above the mouth of the river Ottr^va. Its eastern boundary is the Labradore coast ; and its northern boundary-line Hudson's Bay. The extent of this part of the province, upon the north of the banks of the St. Laurence, (being, from the border of Upper Canada down- wards to the islands of Mingan, in the mouth of that river,) is about seven hundred miles. Of this extent, however, there are not more than three hundr^^d and fifty miles settled: the settlements only extending downwards to Rock Bay, which is one hundred miles below Quebec. The province of Upper Canada is situated up- on the north side of the river St. Laurence, Lake Ontario, Lake Errie, Lake Huron, Lake Supe- rior, Lake of the Woods, &c. and from thence upon a line undefined to the Pacific Ocean. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. H From Lower Canada, along this inland navi- gation, which is so singularly convenient, beautiful, and extensive, to the extremity of Lake Superior, is a length of about thirteen hundred and Jifty miles of an almost uninter- rupted continuation of a fine fertile soil, and in every respect a most delightful country : a very considerable proportion of this extent, however, is still unsettled. The settlements, at present, only extend to Detroit, which is situate between Lake Errie and Lake Huron, being a distance of about five hundred and fifty miles from the border of Lower Canada ; but the fine climate, the superiority of the soil, and the conveniences and advantages of local situation, are such that the settlements are ex- tending upwards very rapidly. It appears, therefore, that from Detroit, which is the uppermost of the settlements, downwards to their lowest extremity, at Rock Bay, which is one hundred miles below Quebec, is an ex- tent of about nine hundred miles settled upon the north banks of the St. Laurence and its lakes : this, with the above four hundred and fifty miles of the lower province, inhabited upon the south side, makes the whole extent ' !i«. 1, ''%m 1/ n ;^ 1 1 '•^ ,1'^ i ! U I: IB liMPOKTANCF. OK VWV. of tho srtthMnonls of Ihr I wo Oaiuulas, lyini; upon llir banks of tlir Si. liunrrnro jumI llic Lnkos, ahonJ ihiricoi huudvai otui Jiflinnilvs. 'V\\v poHsossioii of sni'ii an inuui'nsc rxliMit of (oiuilrv, upon Ihis inland navi;;;alion, so ad- vanlap'onsly silnalr for roinnionMuI purposes, is nolii( h lliis extendtul connnunicalion is cud- eidattnl to alford to British connnerce ; which will more adeipiately enahh* us lo judi»c how tar these ciror.mstanees, and lhe» rapid i^n- provement oi this part of the American fron- tier, have ronsei' the jealousy of the United States and prom|>ted them to the conunence- ment of hostilities. Cousideriui; the i^Toat length of the line of frontier, by which the British provinces com- 1^, ■J ( I 'i nurrisH amkuican coi.oNiivS. If) niimicalr vvitli llir United Shilrs, no Inifn.in power cjui prevent jiromnirnM', liiijjiily jhIvimiIu- lj.eouN to Ihe Hrilisli, heinuj <5irrie(l on helween Ihe Iwo eonnlries: — ;i eonnneree, wliieli to uh. il< I p;r( ►wnjjT t'onsnierni!; (lie irreut extent lujc prosperity of the ronnlry eonslitntintc tlirse front iers, niiisL be Ji perniiineni, sonree of vvesillli; l)nt pnrlienlarly dnrin*;^ limes ;incl <;ir- (Ministnnces sneh us w(^ luive lately experi- (Miced, dnrinjii; the period (Mir most invetenile enemy lias suecc^eded iii sliuttinijj ns onl from tin' eoiiHiieiit of Europe. This iiderconrsc! has heeii hithrrto limited, from the immtMiMi- tract of unsettled land which flivides the Iwo countries, haviiij^ heen con- fined to a few roads of cominnnication, and th(!se few even very inconvenic lit : the fjuan- lity of hritish manufactures hitherto introduced into tli(! United States has, therefore, notwith- >slandin!j, this ex fended line of frontier, been comparatively small ; the same circumstances have also had the same eft'ect ou the transpor- tation of produce by the Americans to the St. J ^aurence. The demand for British maimfactures in these colonies Las been hitherto indeed little c 2 '■ 1 St; )f; • i u .- 1 20 IMPORTANCE OF THE moYo. than for the supply of the inhabitants ; but, as Iho selth^nents ,jf the British colonies anect to (he exportation of their produce^ will ^ive them hy liiv the in08l important ad- vanln4;eH over the Americann ; namely, in securing to them the supplying: of our Wesl- iBiiian coloiiies with American produce, — and, in charging the same duties upon American lumber and other produce imported into the mother country as upon that of other foreign nations ; — these fair, just, and legitimate, pri- vilef^es secured to our American colonists, — privileges which too vitally concern our ship- ping interest,— will do more towards securing the attachment of our American colonists than all other advantages united ; — nay, nwre than all other favours \yhich the mother country has it in her power to bestow upon them. • : ( . ■(; : fi In modern times, when navigation is found to be the principal source from whence flows the riches and independence of nations, or at least the channel through which these valuable ,1 1 , "Id IMPORTANCE OP THK ^■.1 11 I ( blessings arc\ in \hv. inosl ciintiml (lep^-rr, derived, of all the proporlies which cliarac- terise any country, liio extent of coast and the navij^able ihcilities which it affords are the fu'st in importance. < ' Concerning our American provinces, there- fore, it may be remarked as a most important iiict, that the extent of navij^able shores of inhabited and fertile rountry, accessible to ships from sea, is j^reater than that similarly naviprable in the possession of the United States, fr .u New Brunswick to Florida. In explanation of what is meant by the term shore, or coast, (so far as rej>ards this comparison,) such only is intended, as will admit of ships of three hundred tons register measurement ; a burthen sufficiently large to carry produce to foreign markets at the lowest rate of freights. ' ' The extent of shores of the settled ami fertile territory of the continent of North Ame- rica, belonging to Great Britain, amounts in the aggregate, to 1310 miles.* ^ ' •'■•^ * In estimating the extent of the navigable shore of the British colonies, I have reckoned from the River St. Croix., BRITISH AMKRIOAN <:C>i4>NIRS. mmmmm Tliis is a greater leii^tli of iiavi};:iblo count than that which was lost by the last Aiuoric^u ■'\ ■ { 'I ,' rie- in the which divides th« province of New Brunswick from the State of Main, round the coast of Nova 8cotia, through the gut of Canso and along that part of tlie coast of New Brunttwick and Lower Canada which frontu tiie gulph of 8t. Laurence to Cape Roziers, making a length of DUO miiea. From Cape Koziers, upwards, to Montreal, upon the south side of the St. Laurence, 580 From Montreal, downward^, upon the north side of the St. Laurence, iu H^ck-Bay, which is one hundred miles below Quebec 280 Altogether amounting to 14 10 miles; being two hundred and ten miles more than the whole extent ol that part of the coast of America, lying between the Hiver St. Croix and the Hiver St. M^ry, which ww> th« whole extent of sea-coast possessed by the United States, previous to their purchase of Louisiana from the Spaniards. It will be observed, that this statement comprehends only the shores of the continent, and (except the space which lies between Cape HozierK and C4pe Chat, being about one hundred miles of rocky mountains,) sucli parts only of the country as are settled and tit for agricultural purposes. It appears, therefore, that, after deducting the one hundred miles of barren mountains above Cape Chat, the extent of shores of the settled fertile country, which their colonies comprehend, is 1310 miles. ,:il I • lOlXj { n. 'I 'I t '< ■■ : i 28 IMPORTANCE OF THE war ; and, estimating^ its value by the commer- cial facilities which it affords, is comparatively much more valuable than an equal extent of the United-States coast, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. This comparison of the navigable coast of the United States, with that of the British possessions, in front tf such parts of the country as are capable of agricultural im- provements, may be objected to on account of part of the one being the shores of the River St. Laurence, and the other open to the Atlantic Ocean. Such objections, however, will be removed, by inspecting the map of the country and chart of the coast ; for, by drawing a line upon the former, at some given distance, (suppose one hundred miles,) and in such a direction, that it shall not exceed the proposed distance from such parts, (whe- ther upon the coa«it of the Atlantic, or up bays and rivers,) as siiips of the proposed di- mensions of three hundred tons can find safe harbours, it will then be found, that the difference is greatly in favour of the British possessions in point of territorial extent, bene- shorc!' \l BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 89 filed by such navigation ; and still more in favour of the British possessions in point of the quantity of superior soil so bene- fited. Such parts of the coast of the United States, (or indeed of any other coast,) as are completely open to the ocean, afford no har- bours to any description of ships. It is in bays, creeks, mouths of rivers, or under shelter of islands, therefore, that harbours are exclusively to be found. And when we no* tice, that we are considering these with re- ference to ships of 300 tons register measure- ment, it will be found, that neither this, nor any other coast open to the sea, will afibrd harbours for shipping of such dimensions but at very considerable intervals, — in many parts, intervals of several hundred miles. It is the commercial facilities which the harbours af- ford, that constitute the value of the sea coast; without these conveniences mere extent is of little importance. Estimating by this criterion, it follows, as a necessary deduction, (which, as already ob- served, may be demonstrated by mere inspec- tion of the map,) that as far as relates to the shores of the St. Laurence throughout the ;■ !',;;(■ i> ti- I. :1 AJ r! ■' ,( M hi I '■ : I " 1{ /I .1^ 30 IMPORTANCn or THK whole extent of that part of it, whicli has been inchided in this estimate of 1310 miles of navigable coast, fronting agricultural territory, scarcely a mile can be found, (with the excep- tion, perhaps, of about fifty or sixty miles situated immediately above Cape Chat,) in which tliere are not road-steads to be found wliere ships may ride with safety. With regard to the comparative advantages to be derived from foreign shipping, a far greater extent of surface of country upon the banks of this river is therefore benefited in this respect, than upon a like extent of the coast on the main ocean. The possession of this improveable country and its navigable shores, guarantees the peace- able possession and uninterrupted occupa- tion of the whole coast of Labradore, of Newfoundland, and of the nmnerous islands in the gnlph of St. Laurence. These im- portant and impr<^veable coasts altogether amount to several thousand miles of the most productive and vahiabie fisheries ; — fisheries, which, to any country, would be of immense importance, as wtII on account of the maritime facilities which they aflTord, by il ^ k 1\ BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 31 being- a nursery for sailors, &c. as on account of the pecuniary purposQB and convcniencies to whicli they are adapted ; and, therefore, tlie possession of them to Great Britain, by so far securing her own maritime resources, and preventing the aggrandisement of that of other nations, are invaluable. The countries which form these extensivei fishing-coasts, consist generally of barren- rocky mountains, the barren and inaccessible nature of which, protects and encourages the. prosperity, and actually secures the value of the fisheries. Such fisheries, situated in front of fertile soil, would be comparatively of small importance ; the cultivation of the land would, no doubt, divide the attention of those employed in the fisheries ; a variety of pur- suits would inevitably create an irregular de- mand for labour, so as to complefely disorga- nize the necessary machinery of an extensive fishery ; under existing circumstances, however, po such inconveniences need be apprehended. Notwithstanding the general inaccessible nature of this fishing-coast, there are, how- ever, to be found in the mouths of rivers, &c. places of sufficient ext(?nt to admit of suclr 1 i • 1 '\ '' ) ■ 'I ,. I'll i.. ) ^U if ■•m-i ii '11 ^ i , \ ?'t ^ » M ni IMIMlMMNcr', Of Tlir, HB ias lownw niifl villHj>«'« ns iitighl )tv ikm fmwui v Tor llu» <*i>nvrnirnNN«'s«ions in llinl ^pinrhT, wrnl upon Iho fithrr l»y Ium* f»ow«Mfnl llrolM; and «lo ni>l njinin rodo w Hhnrr ihr lM*rnrh. Ann^rinuifx. or any ollin* powrr: — if ?»Ih\ also, hohi Ihr fmr Irvt'l iMunilry whifh 9\\o noTi' |>oHsr!<«NrN n|»on flio liMnk!»» of \\\o 8l. liUuronro i\\u\ \hv LnkrN nl»ov«' Qnrlx'f', without asirtin Kharklin:^- tho induHtry fillirr <»f Xhv utHxlumn who rlrars its foiTNis; of IhiMiilti- vatorof its frrtih' phiins ; or, of Iho fish^Tinari who hostowN his nttontion upon th»'si» profhirtive ttshori<\s : — if, nu>v«Hiv« r, sho prohihiis all iulor- rouiNo hj'twron our Wost-lnpor(s iVoin ct^untrios othor than tVoui hor o>vn oolonios, ml- culatod to pnuuoto lur o^n shippinii-intorrst. the grow int: prospority I't' lln\s<» oolonios woulci not onlv UToatIv auiinnMit hvv rosourcos, and prtwe a safo jjuarantt (^ of '\or niaritimo powrr and indopondtnoo, hut tho mutual bcMulits, which the om^ colony would derive from the ^^ ht^ lllUriMll AIMIHirAN roi,oNir«. an Hil^ nllirr, would hIko ItimI ^nMilly In N»r»irr to lur H (MiiMMiiMirY <*i }ill IImiiil iidvMii iti^rM Tlir irn|Mo< ily n^ iiih irsi lli.il will IM <-OI|M4 IjIMIMT ( ilMllillr }iniMII!^ III! Ill* IMIIIl» roiiH <'|jiHH«'H, wliirli ',\ vaiirly o( |Mir,Miiil'^ i Hpinl ol nilnprisr ;iii(l f im ri^y i\n Would srI rvciy liiiiiK It ol iiidii'dry in iri<»hon, rurn' ol' niarliiniiy (>iiiployiiMUl, lo llic wood'iiiiin ;iiid iln lallKmuri llir liniiMi h.ulf, I'lVKH III ir rxporhilioii ol ^raiii, Hour, vi- HJoiis, jir iiu;r(;li;nils, und airordinp; y c ontrihiilc lo Ihc ad- vaiil,aj5<; oi all (;la.ss«;s in lli(jsr; proviij(:<;.s, hh ^ f l» '}' Ifi li 4 ;U iMiMMt TANrr t»i run s t ut'll ns lo tbi» rnronrnj^rinriit ol (lie rninnH'i- rinl roiirrrn.M oC llir mollwrronnlrv ri ir lli niMinnjJ \ho niutMltntity niul iiMMMivrninirfH x^huh \\w\ \u\\o liilliiMlo nii(iMiit siipply. l''oi. iiiuln pjiuIi ■A \\\U' o(* poljf V, lUiiiiy of tin* very sirlirlrH, pnr- tii ularly flour, iiistoiul o( briiiii Nliippo('M. S^r. utuild l»o shippril i\'o\\\ [ho ports of (l\o Si. Iiaiirnur. .md ilu lohy j>ro\nl<' lli(> Hritisli proviiiros wilii [\\v \\\os[ aniplr rrsonrcrs Tor llio supply of Ihoir sislor rol«nvi(\»; in iho Wc^sl-liulirs. INot only tlio inhaliilants of Iho roiilinontal pro- Mnr<^s (luM'( fol«\ l>\il also our WosI Imliaii rolo- msts. liratoful tor tho l)(Miofils atlordiMl l»y lliis varioly t>f pursuits ami r \>Iui'li, hriuu thus roiul»iut'o\verfiil iuipulso. soll'-iuftTrsl, <'liorisli tliomost o-ouuine loxallv aud aH'oction tow.u'ds lu»r. *H iiRi'iiMti AMi.nrf'AM roi.oNrr"'^. 'I'luiH r»ir willi irs|iM| In llir ndvnnti^M s jm m F)(>NRfM| l>y IIm> Hi'ilir;l| rolniiirN, uh fur mh r* l>ih-M to llioir gco^rnpliirnl |inMili<>ii suifl rMiiiiiM>rrif>il ruriliiirn: IIh* ii(«\l olijtwi, mimI IIip (i;rMl in iifi- |M>rttiiir(\ IN liirir jModii. r ami iiiiUiiiiarhiirH ■ f i ' i ■ 1 D 2 m ii 'i i M ic I JO rMPORTANCE OF TKR (HAP. II ;) .* .i! ,1' I »■ ir OF THi: PRRSENT STATE OF OUR AMERICAN PKOVFNCES. PARTICULARLY THE CANA- DAS, — THl'IR SOIL, CLIMATE, INllAHIT- ANTS, STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND EX- PORTS, ETC. In order thai a moro. adequate idea may bo formed ol' those j»reat advantages, which the iiionur-country may derive from the vast re- .sources inherent in these provinces, particularly the Canadas, through the medium of her ship- ping and manufacturing interests, I shall here take a cursory view of the qualiti/ of' their soil ; of their climate ; of their inhabitants ; and of the state of agriculture. My observations up- on these, however, shall be carried no further tlian is necessary to assist in forming opinions, concerning the discouragements which these RKITtSII AMERICAN <;OLONlES. ni provinces \mvv laboured under, and the im- provealde eapahilities wliich they j^ossess, in re^spect to ihv. ■,iUu\e inijiorlant soiu'ces of national wealth. r P- ler IS, ise QUALITY OF THK SOIL OP UPPER ANIJ LOWER CANADA. From the river Little IVIetis, which is about two hundred miles below, upwards to 8t. Anns, wliich is about sixty-five miles ab(we Quebec, the country, although not mountainous, (except upon the north side of the St. Laurenco below Quebec,) nevcrllKless forms a verj-^ uneven and irregular surface. The kinds, of which the soil consists, are of great variety ; being in some parts a very light saiidy soil upon a sandy or gravelly bottom^ and in other parts a strong clay, with almost all the variety of gradations which are to be found between these two extremes. Tliere is, how ever, a much larger pro[»ortion of the very heavy sort than of the very light : indeed, throughout this tract of country, wliich is an extent of about two hundred end sixty ^he \^.¥:h.\ tiH .It ,38 IMPORTANCE OF THE !!l ' { 7niles upon the banks of the St. Laurence, th« soil, with respect to kind, consists generally of a siroiig loam upon a sub-soil of red clay or till. Wi!' regard to quality ; supposing the soil an ai;:!4< ' into four distinct rates, there is not nnu li of t'e best or first rate; neither is there much of the worst or fourth rate ; the average may be considered to be about a njedium be- tween the second and third rate qualities* * In regard to the short description, which I have given of the soil, in order that a true and correct idea may be formed of its quality, it is necessary to state, that the scale by which I have formed my estimate in this respect, is the quality of the land in Great Britain, divided into four distinct rates. And further, to avoid the ambiguity and obscurity so general in descriptions cf ihe qualities of land, I think it necessary also to state, that, in Judgin^fl; of the quality, the intrinsic or natural fertilizing capabilities are alone kept in view. For, if the vicinity of large cities, navigable rivers, or any external inij)ioveniont.s were to be taken into consideration, and the soil rated according to its value, there would, under such circumstances, be no certainty of ascertaining the precise description of the soil, although the rate were stated. As for example, a third rate in the vicinity of a large city might be let at as liigh a reut as a first rate quality at a considera- )t>le distance: or one farmer by proper management might k 1 'vr BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 31) Idera- liglt From St. Ami's, upwards, to the border of Upper Cauiida, which is about sixty mih'S above Moutreal, l»einj>f a Ierij:;th of about one hunched and seventy-five miles upon botli sides of the St. Laurence; and from the border of Lower Canada, upwards, to the extremity of the settlements of the upper province at De- troit, beinj[^ an extent of about five ..Midred and fifty miles upon the north bank, of "3 St. Laurence and the lakes, makes, fr< f. Ann's upwards, a length of about seven liundrtd and ixventy-Jive miles of a beautiful ani. Is vel coun- try. The general characteristics of the face of the country, throughout this vast extent, afford but little diversity in point of appearance. The kinds of soil, however, consist of considerable ■variety: but that which mostly prevails is a strong deep loam, which in many parts con- raise, upon a third rate, a crop doubly fertile compared, with that which migiit be raised upon a first-rate soil, by anotlier inferior in skill and industry. But as neither of these cir- cumstances could essentially alter or bring about any perma- nent change in the fertilizing capabilities, which these soils naturally and intrinsically possess, it would consequently be absurd to rate them, in point of quality, according to theii respective values, or present state of fertility. hvi n\ "^'1, il ' 5 !(» k I •' !l \r I If! 10 iMi'onTANrr, or Trir. sisis ol* SI luixhiro oC rich \Aiw rljiy ;ni»l (Vi'.jUlp rnrlli : this is ;i kind olwoil, which, in whiilcvrr i-ouiili'v it is rnniid, t;('Mn':illy coiiHlitiilcs that ol the Itcsl (jiialitv. A hirnc p.-oportioii ol llii.** vaHl extent of (•(Mintrv is of tlie /irs/ n//r iiunlifi/, niid the ;iv(Mai;e of tiu' wlioir nuiy l>e f<;iid to he vxcel- luit. ' Kiclvoninjj to tlu' depth >(' nhont Tirty luiles tVoin tlie St. LaiinMK'e and tlie LnltCR, (wineii y th<» British i;ovenunenl.) perhaps there is sear<'ely lo he Ibund, either in l^nropp or Anieriea, a tract of country, equal to this in ext«Mil, whi(h comparatively contains so larp;e a proportion of alirsi rate (piality of land ; and cer- taiidy there is not, inanyotlu r part of the Mniled States, e\cej>tinn- Louisiana and other parts upon the west side of the Ale^;any mountains, and u|)on tlu^ banks of the St. LaunMice and its lakes, an equal extent of territory, wherein (nen one-third of the quantity of tirst rate soil would be foiuid. Indeed, in many parts of this vast coiHitry, there are occasionally to be tb\nul uninterrupted tracts of land of a tirst rate qua- lity, even to the extent of a hundred miles in \\\ "m, BKITISII AMER^AN COLON! Kfl. 41 k'!if;lli ; wlirrctN, in tiiost coiiiilrirH, oim -lliinl af that rxiciil (it an iiiiiiitnriiptrd raiii^i; ot Huch t(iiaiily JN rarely to Im met with. i 1 1» TLIMATK. ■ M 'I'liF', climalc of any parlirnlar country onjijhl to Im> (!.sliinalrcl in proportion l<» llir licallliy, aji^nralilr, iitid Crrjili/in^ prnp< rlirs, vvImcIi it poHsrHscs: liic rliinafi^ of Upper and Lowi-r Canada enjoys IheHi; advarila^eH in an cinineni dciL'n'C!. . Tho Nnnnncr, indeed, is exireniely hot; hut, a« the atinospticire is reinarkahly clear and pure, the heat is llierelore not eiiuiales vvliere tl sultrv. The winter is intensely (M)ld: f)nt, as th«^ frost continues without intermission durini:; winter, and generally with a clear sky and a line nn(L». Hiil. «lo\vn llu' riviT. pailtrntarly lo>v;»nls its iiiotitli, r;istnly >viiuls :n*r iin:ui:iM> iiHriHitMl »illi iliirk (o!;s. Tl 10 spnni; soIn in uilli ;i rlnir s U «ky, niH I tl \v i\\v gonniilly ronlinnrs iVosly nnlil IIk' hiiow is i]\\\\c m>nr VUv snow is, llirn lorr, prinripiilly rarritMl oi\'h\ \\w ravs ol'llio snn ; lor il is Inil srMoin llial nahiral lliaws arr innrli r\|MM*iiMi- orJ, until [\\v snow is roinplrlrly raniiMl oil". n nil stMdoin ( ontinnrs lonu al a tiiiH', in lh< III wprini; ; <^Mrpl in llir monntainons «lislri«'ls. rin^ sprini; in KowjM' (lunula sris in railirr or lal(M\ in any parli(Milar |>laro, as il is liinlirr or low rr upon llio Ui\«»r Si. liannnro; and lliis. (noil 111 llio saiiio paralU'l oT latitii(i(\ Ixiiiji; «\irli< las lluM'onnlrv <^\loiv nionnlainons. and loss so low aids llio W(^stwanl, so in proporlion \\\rrv is less rain and lOii'ny nm'uIIk r, as \\u) coiinlry oxhMids in that diiwlion; tin* sprinj;-, imloo«l, s(«ls in •li oarlior, and tho rinnato is in »ntMy r(\spo<*l more aiiTooal)l(* and favourahlo to agrionltnre, in any partinilar place upon the St. Lanivncc, in proportion as it is (iistant from tlio soa. llHiri.^ll AMrilK AN (OI.ONir.N. 4.1 III Mpniit;, |)h< litiid iH ^rriMTJilly fil (or |iIoiil(Ii- iii|( UN Ndoii iiM il IN ( Inn- (roiii snow. l'*or, iiol- williHliiii(liii^ llir Hrvnily nl" llir IVomI. iI flnr« liol pciirlnilc (lrr|» iiiln ilir ^roiiiMl, wliirli in pi'oli><'l(Ml (Vniii ilN Nrvrrily, hy tlir hiiow f';illiii^ ill roiisiilci'sililr <|iiiuililirH in llir riirlicr |»irl oi' tlir wililrr. \\y llir liiiir, llM-n'lorr, lliiil tin* HIIOW (liMiipiM'SirN, IIh' (iohI in ;iIn(> ^riMTHlly (|iii(4> ^oiir. Tiir HIIOW (-oiiliiiinii^ iip(Mi \\\(} land (iiiriii^ wiiilrr is a <'ii-riiiiislinK'(> rnniirk- iilily ill (avoiir of rjill-wlMsil, ("jill-ljiirs, or c'lovrr, wliiwii willi lli«» pr('(^(*s pulling up sinh of tln^sr (TopH as may he so I'Xposrd, l»y IIm; very roots; a < irrunistanrc not inifrerpunt in (iniat Bri- tain. As has hfM'U already f>bserved, rainy wcatluT in the springs seldom continues lon^ at A tin I ho i\ the ners are therefore sc^ldom ?in ' li whilst the ground is wet, which is a circum- stance of material consequence in agriculture. Indeed, the seed of all kinds of crops being harrowed in dry, is an advantage of ihe first importance, but more particularly in the cu^ ture of hemp and flax. Hoar frost but seldom occurs in spring, which is a circumstance very favourable to every species of the earlier green crops, such as hemp, flax, pease, early potatoes, and a variety of others. During the summer season, and also the fall, rain or thick weather seldom continues more than two or three days together ; not often, indeed, more than one day at a time : a most material circumstance in favour of making clean summer- fallow ; raising fallow-crops ; making hay ; and performing the necessary ojiorations in the management of hemp ; as well a,s other agricultural avocations. During winter, the thermometer fluctuates from 2-3° above zeio, down to 28'', and some- times even as low as 30° below that point. But, when such an intense degree of cold occurs, it seldom continues lonsjer than two, or at mo^'t int. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 45 three days at a time ; and such severities sel- dom occur more than once in a season ; and, perhaps, in only one season out of two or three: the greatest degree of cohi is generally felt in February. There are not, perhaps, above two or three days .a the course of the winter so intensely cold as to prevent ship-carpenters, and other workmen employed out of doors, from follow- ing their occupations : this circumstance af- fords one of the most convincing and decisive proofs, that the cold in Canada, compared with the cold in Great Britain, is not by any means experienced in a degree of severity proportion- ate to the degree of cold shewn by the thei- mometer Throughout the season, there is a much greater proportion of clear weather in the Ca- nadas than in Great Britain ; even in the neigh- bourhood of Quebec, and about Montreal and in Upper Canada, where the country is less mountainous and more remote from the sea, the proportion of clear weather, compared with that experienced with a clouded atmo: sphere, is still greater. Upon the whole, the cHmate of the Canadas, compared vvjth tlie. •,^ •; a m^ 'rt I'i'v' 1 -I 1 ^.■■; n: h 40 llM1»<>in'AN('F, or THK rliniMlr o( (iH'mI Hni'.ni), is (M|u:illy nt;rri;ihlo; <<{n:)lly lavouiahlr to sigritMiUuro; and aciiially iiiOH' lualllu. INHAinTANT.S. if ^ t Tur population of llio (^ana«l;iNis <'Oinpo.s(Ml <>t' \hv opnlation at pn s« nt is. IVIr. Harriot, in Ins History of Canada, roni- pntt^s the popnhition of tho h) w(t provincp at *2oO.(>(M). a net that of th<^ n))prr province at 80.000. in 1808: tliis computation Jam inclin- ed to lliinlv, from th«* opimons wliini and nflh (hey dcali met or hu econo d»istri< It is Ihese of edi l\ lUnrtSH AMI'HICAN roi.ONIKS. 47 iH'^ roni- \ce at iirlin- tiave than Mr. Ilaiion ill IMOM. mimI willi llir onliiiuiy iiicn'Jisf^ :MiiniiL!,si IIk' Jnli:ilHl:uilN, iiiid :iis(» r.iKiii*^ into iU'coniit llir rvhiurdiiiJiiy influx olsc lllrrs (roiii (lir UiiihMl Sliilr.s, iMh:n'<;o aiul nllu r iiir;isiins oC llir Aiim ii< :iii ^ovrnininil, iMlwcni llir ycjir IKOJl iiiid llw hn'sikint; l loll o i I v\ Ml- iUM I 1 iOWJT (yaiijuhi 5il 'Mi'tJUHK <►! wliirli llir low<'r |»n)viii(M' iiijiy ronlaiii jiImmiI, 27.'>,(HM). \V illi ni^iird l<» llic i'< s|M'('liv(! cliaraclrrs of racli «,r llir llin'r divisions or cIjishcs of |)ro|»l<', )idalioii ol' llirsr proviiirrs, comimsiiii' ll w |>0| and ill ilic (iisl jdaci' rcsprcliii}; llir dcKcrndanIs ot'llto I'rnirli ('(doiiislH, ii may Im- ohscrvrd, llial tliey arc iionrsi and iiprii^lil in ilicir reciprocal dcaliiii^s lo a dc!;rcc scarcely any wlicrc lo l»c Slid willi where so iniu h i;:^iioran(:e pnivails, or indeed perhaps any where; — sociahh- and polite in Iheir manners; and, as far as rei^iirds tl ld( (I economy, Muy are sensihU;, int^i-nious, and m- iluslrious It is very iiiicommon and extraordinary tliat lhe.se eharacieristics, and an almost total want ol' ediicaHion, should <'\ist lojjrether ind tl lis 7 / ill 1^ nu 1^ I 1 ! i ■s- V, ! ^i I a IIMPOH IAN" I or Tlllf f» ^ i r Tlio Urilish :nul Vmrri(nnM niny r;nil< In .1. i>«MM«M III poml oi iiHhislry :nul t'roiumiv ; nin (Voui Mu^ ;nlMUi1;ia,«'M mIihIi lln^y <'iM*'y IVnin rdnrMlioii. nrc suprnor lo IIh- ! ouisls in |)nnil oj" rnh j {Misf < onmiiinu, llir :iil:irlnii4'n i oi II ir III linlii U\\\\s o\ \hc (':\ii:i(|;is lo \\\v mol'vr «omi'ry ; niul, in llu lirsl phn i\ n'ii.:n«luii; lSi«- « ulio may he «lishni:nisliril ;is l)u> I'JU'IimIi ji rr vitMiiity oi'a r<'pnhh«aii coniilry, wtMihl not l»o tlu' rlioun^ oi siM'h p(>oph'. |n- dood.suoh p« rsons invai'ial)l\ lain! in lln* I'nilod State's, troiu \\liin(M\ hon! I disappointnuMil ultiinatoly iind Hioir way uUo Canadii. NO la I mi: mil illH !irr aiM (I ir niv luj ron (lisli nc land Si. I coil.' ■1^ llHIi'inil AMCHM AN fOLONfiq 40 '"m uliM li imiimI Im> oln'yrKH III lliiH roMiiliy, !is will ;i*^ in Ihnl ullirli HiJ'V IrK, IS ;ih HO ;irroiii|>Mni(M! wilh i»ov( > III I' ly siikI «Iin(h>h«, liiMlin^ lli;il IIm jkhu itiisn jiMr Noil HO ^nirijilly |nrv;ilsiMtriir(', l»iil, is only io Itc it)} laiiird :it :i iiipji prMc ; iiimI, iiiidiri^, to<». Hint fi ill :i rril|H'orily of llir i;roKrsl niMriMK^ jiik iiiMiiiiri's iiiKiill nml iiiflimiiiy •<> Hi'" nilcrw win- iniiHi Im oIm \) (i, ;iimI r(»nl(-in|>i (»( tlir hiws uifl iiuihoritM w lii( li iiiiiKt Im- siilitiiilird to. Jirr 51 U'S\ oC iJir rliniJMtrnstir o >r II; tlii^ ;m roiiit}i I i 'ir.'Mli-< iiiid lis rr|>iil»li(-iin ^ov<>niiiM'i)t llirvrf'oM", ;il>oiil wliicli iliry li'.iH \ic(u ho lonjr (Ircainiii^^, iii hist, thus (lis:i|)|M:;iriii;; noy fiiirl llHiiiNrlvrs ill iTJility IriinsjKnlcd, lra;iM|>orti;(i fnmi IIh' solid cotiiCorls tlicir tr.il .«• (oiirilry iifrordrd into tin midsl of d tlifidhy ;iiid arren wastes of Now England to the British provinces. Alter tlH\se jieople have not only learned, by such expiM'ience, tliat if American liberty exceed that of liritish, it is only in immorality and licentiousness, but that the liberty and ])rotection, speciously indicated by this repub- lican constitution, is precarious and uncertain, and in many respects only to be enjoyed in idea; whereas, the blessiuajs of the British con- stitution, beiu!^ equally extensive, are enjoyed in reality ; such of these people, therefore, as lind their way into the British provinces, need not be douL-vd as to their attachment to the British government. Considering these circumstances, and that the other part of those who aie denominated the British paH of the population is composed of emigrants, who have, in the first instance, made clioice of the British provinces, and of the descendants of these and sucb as have been described, it is natural to conclude, that the whole of those who are commonly deno- minated tiie English part of the Canadians, must remain firmly attached to the British govern- ment. M m BRITISH AMKKICAN COLONIES. 51 The Aincricaii [)art of \\w (Jiuiadian colo- nists consists of two (Icsciiplions of |H'0[)Ic, viz. loyalists who k'ft thi; Uiiitiid Slates during- the late American war and emigrants. I'lio former, consicierini;- tlie h>sses and sacrifices they expe'ieuced from adheriiiu,- to the British interest, cannot certainly he donhted in point of loyalty: and, the i>reat(M' part of the lat- ter havini;' left the United States, from dis- content at the political measnres pursned by their own j^overnmtnt, and hndiniL^ the privi- leges and advantages whi(;l» th« v enjoy under the British government sn])erior io thos(^ they enjoyed under the government of the United States, there can he no doubt entertaiiu^d but that these also are firmly attached to the British interest. The descendants of the French colonists, who inhabited the colony at the conquest, have uniformly given pvoofs of their iirm attachment to the British government and its interests ; particularly in the part th(^y acted during the late American war. They certainly at that time manifested their loyalty and attachment in a manner highly honourable. — Loyally at- tached to the mother-country, these colonists E 2 '• f; i U^ \ i. ' f 62 IMPORTANCE OF THE llv ' n ! rl* >t manfully stood forward in defence of her in- terests ; in many instances they were muster- ed, led forth, and encouraged to tight, and bleed in support of the parent country, by their Roman Catholic priests ; some of whom actually fell in such patriotic and praise-worthy examples. These and many other instances of loyalty might be circum- stantially adduced : but, should any one doubt, the events passing at the present time afford the most incontestable proof of the loyalty of the whole inhabitants of these provinces if STATE OF AGRICULTURE. Such is the present state of agriculture in Canada, that almost any change would be for the better. If it can be said that any thing approximating to system in cropping is obser- ved, it is in that of wheat and grass alternately : or, it may be more properly said, that the land is cropped with wheat the one year and lies waste the next, and in many instances this mode :■/ BRITISH AMEIUCAN COLONIES. 53 in I for |ing ind lies )de is pursued, even for generations, witliout manure being applied. The wlieat is invariably sown in spring, and the land receives only one ploughing. Clean sumnrier-fallow is unknown in the country, and, except in the neighbourhood of Quebec and Montreal, the farmers are equally ignorant of drill-crop, or indeed of fallow-crops of any description- After stating these facts it is almost unnecessary to add that artificial grasses are also unknown. The above mode of cropping prevails gene- rally over the Canadas, but more particularly throughout the lower province. Any devi- ation from it is occasionally by the intervention of a trifling quantity of pease, dax, oats, or barley. Near the farmers houses there are also generally to be foisnd some small patches of Indian-corn and tobacco, which, toge- ther, perhaps, receiv'e the greater part of the manure which is applied : these crops, not- withstanding, are seklim or never introduced into a rotation of cropping over any farnx genera^ ^y. \ The >^nd, however, is so very excellent, in general, . iU?", crops of forty bushels, per ,,ti. i ill ^! r. ; . i; I : U i a l!^i I '!' ! i n 54 IMPORTANCE OF THE French acre, (e<(ual to iifty-four per English or sixty-six per Scotch acre,) are frequently to be met with ; either where the land is first cleared, or where it may have received any improve- nient; such as lyiug several years in grass instead of one; manured and cropped with pease, Sec. ; for, besides these superficial im- provements, there are scarcely any other known in the country. But the wretched sys- tem of cropping which is practised, soon re- duces such spots of land, as may be found either from their pristine qualities, or from recent improvements, in this high state of fertility, to such a degree of poverty that they do not, perhaps, yield more than ten or twelve, or even, in some instances, more than eight or nine bushels, per acre. Indeed, so much does the pristine state of fer- tility of the soil and its ultimate reduction, an- swer the above description, that the price of land is estimated by the same rule by which a horse is valued, namely, by age, — the older the worse But, iu Great Britain, land is valued upon a principle the very opposite to this ; there it is known to have improved, rather than falleii back, by cultivation, even under the very BRITISH AMERICAN OOLONIKS, 55 fer- an- anrl orse the ued his ; than Yery worst system of iimnai^eiiient ; 1 mean so far as relates to the native (juality of the earth, and not as to its immediate state of fertihty. Such, indeed, is the natural superiority and fertility of the land of these provinces, g^ene- rally, that when it is either purposely laid down to remain in meadow, or otherwise CvScapes the plough for a few years, that it generally produces the most luxuriant growth of natural clover. This circumstance, not only proves the natural good quality of the soil, but also indicates the expediency of a- dopting some system of cropping which would embrace that valuable grass. Respecting the quantity of land under cid- tivation, the only means of ascertaining its amount, is by forming a computation from the statement of the quantity which was ascertain- ed to have been under cultivation in 178;^; and in forming this estimate we may also form a tolerably correct idea of the quan- tity of grain annually produced in these pro- vinces. In 1783, according to the census then taken, by order of government, the population '^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. ■^ C ^° y%g 1.0 I.I "li 12.5 UO K liu us 2.2 HT i;£ 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 ||.6 6" ^ ► V] V) ^%.^*J^ / '^ > "4'V^ /A '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^^ \ :\ \ A C^ 6^ ^ '^.-:^ '<^ ■^ u.. a i h IF ^ Jll I; !■■ 'i ■ } i.' H ' < ( d6 IMPORTANCE OF THE B was stated to have been 113,012 ; the quantity of land under cultivation 1,569,81B acres, and the quantity of seed sown 383,349 bushels. Allowing two bushels and a half of seed, per acre,* there must have, therefore, been at that time 153,339 acres under grain. Notwithstanding that the amount of the po- pulation is computed at 375,000, in estimating the quantity of land under cultivation I shall take it at only 360,000. According to the above statement, the relative proportions of cleared land, of seed sown, and of acres under grain, to 360,000 inhabitants, is 5,002,428 acres of cleared land, 1,221,159 bushels of seed sown, and 488,463 acres under grain. It may be observed, that there appears a great disproportion between the number of acres under grain and the gross quantity of cleared land. But it may also be remarked, that, in estimating the cultivated land, it is ' The French acre, or arpent, is to the English acre as three is to four: the French measure is the standard in Lower Canuda, and the English measure in the upper province: two bushels and an half may be considered the average quantity of seed. bread, BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 67 •Ml probable that the site of the houses, and gar- dens, and space of ground about them, roads, banks of rivers, and rivulets, &c. patches of wood land reserved amongst the cleared land, for supplying fuel, &c. may have been inclu- ded ; and these spaces, with the quantity of land under flax, &c. and meadow land, the quantity of which is very considerable, must altogether render the quantity of cleared land, not u ed for the production of grain, very considerable. An estimate of the amount of the grain, which is produced, may be made by computing the quantity consumed for the people's food ; and adding to it the amount of exports ; the grain used in the keeping of horses ; feeding of stock; and the seed which is sown; which altogether will constitute the gross amount. From a computation of all these, as under,* it ^1 '• v] . .1 '!' fi "'( I . ? i " * In estimating the quantity of grain used for the food of the inhabitants, I shall suppose the quantity requisite to each family of six persons, men, women, and children, to be equal to that which would be sufficient for four full- grown men, and that each man would require 2|lb. of bread, meal, Indian corn, and pease, per day. ^ i I it' 58 IMPORTANCE OF THE appears, that about 13 or 14 bushels per acre is only produced. Considering, therefore, what poor crops these are, — the excellent qua- lity of the land, — and the favourable climate, it is sufficiently evident that an improvement in agriculture might be easily effected. The wheat which, as has already been ob- I'i - I ;•} ' Now, siipp'>sing each bushel to yield 48lbs. of bread, meal, Ac. each family would in that case require about 75 bushels of grain annually. The 360,000 inhabitants, consisting of 60,000 families, would, therefore, require 4,500,000 bushels. To which ydd the quantity exported . 330,483 And the amount of the seed . . . 1,221,159 Making altogether 0,051,642 bushels; being equal to about 12^ bushels per acre ; besides that used in the keeping of horses and feeding of stock, &c. the quantity of which cannot be correctly estimated by any rule that could be depended upon ; but, at the very highest, tlicir amount cannot be supposed to be such as would make any very considerable addition to the produce per acre. To suppose the average to be about 13 or 14 bushels per acre may, perhaps, be pretty near the mark ; and, indeed, from the best information which I have been able to collect from the inhabitants of the country, as well as from my own obser- vations made upon the spot, I am inclined to conclude that this is about the a\erage produce per acre. I BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 50 served, is invariably sown in the sprinp:, is sel- dom more than three or four months in the ground, and, notwithstanding that circumstance, a very good quality is generally produced; this is a proof that a very superior cpiality indeed, might be produced if it were sown in Ihe fall of the year. The climate is remarkably in favour of fall- wheat ; for the snow, which continues to a late period of the season, shelters it \u the early part of the spring, from the scorching rays of the sun through the day, and the nipping frosts in the night, as well as from the dry, cold, and bleak, easterly winds in March, which so often injure the wheat in Great Britain. The introduction of barlev into the list of crops raised in Canada is only very recent ; and the adoption of the culture of it is a proof that the Canadian farmers are not so wedded to old customs as either to refuse the intro- duction of new crops, or, the adoption of new schemes of improvement; but, on the contrary, it proves that they will try experi- ments and persevere in such discoveries as are thereby found profitable. Barley is not yet generally grown in Canada ; *'L :'^ir ' .''♦11 : j'lj I it ! I ' • i 00 IMPORTANCK OF THE that which is raised is culiivaUHl principally below Quebec. I'he growth of pease for exportalion, as may be observcMl by No. 1, in the Appeiulix, has been but recently attended to ; and, il may be observed, that as the prices advanced the quantity produced has increased : this circum- stance also afl'ords another i)roof that the Canadian farmers are not backward in culti- vatinjii^ whatever crops they find prohtable. FiiAX is generally raised throughout the country. The crops are generally good ; and, indeed, in some instance, excellent : this, how- ever, appears to be a secret which the peo- ple do not know. For, so little is the manage- ment of this article understood, that, notwith- standing the good crops which are produced, it seldom turns out to be worth the trouble and expense incurreii in working it ; and, perhaps, there is hardly any instance of its being found profitable merely from the circumstance of its being improperly managed after it is pulled. For both flax and seed are completely spoiled r^ ;. ' nniTTSH AMKRICAN f;OLONinS. Of ill the proccsH of iimiin^ciiunit wl>icii Hurrcrtls tlir opiTaiioii of puliiiit^. TIh! Ciiniuliiui rarniorH appear not to know, that aller ihw is pnUcMl, IIk* h<(mI slionhl he separated from it as soon as possihh; ; and that tlie ihw and the set^d then recpiire treat- ment HO V(!ry ditlennit from each otiier, that wlial is necessary to the one is destrnction to the other ; t)olh in point of qnantity and qnality. As soon as tlie flax is pulled it is generally suffered to lie in handfuls or so, upon the ground which produced it, for the purpose of be'iiia; watered r, and in this state it remains until this purpose is understood to be accom- plished. The loss occasioned hy entirely waterinj^ flax upon the p;rass, is innnens(; ; the injury it thereby receives, both in quantity and quality, is very great ; and, in many instances, such as completely to ruin the crops. For, even sup- posing it possible, that the under part of that which lies thick upon the ground would water regularly, that which was uppennost being exposed to the dews of night and the sun in the day, would become watered in less khan half the time requisite for that which lies l^'l!. HJ < I 02 IMPORTAxNCE OF THE BI ■ 1 ,' nearest the ground ; consequently, by the time that tlie uiideiinost were watered the uppermost would be rotten. This loss and inconvenience would, in a certain dei»ree, hap- pen under the best and most careful manage- ment, according to this process of watering altogether upon the grass ; and, therefore, as this method is even but imperfectly understood in Canada, the loss is, consequently, propor- tionably increased. For, as it is laid down very thick and witli great irregularity, when spread out to water, a considerable part of it either soon adheres to the ground, or, sinks down amongst the roots of grass, or weeds, and is thereby mill-dewed or rotten. Until the flax is watered, the Canadian farmer never thinks of separating the seed from it ; the seed is, consequently, not only liable to much injury, but the greater propor- tion lost. The flax, whilst under this process of water- ing, being alternately wet with dew or rain, and scorched with the rays of the sun, the pods soon open, and that which is ripest falls out; indeed, of any sort of crop, the best of the seed is the most liable to be shaken out. ? Besides of t!:e se€ materially ing each and althoi ther seldc Canada, j times take then expoj purpose ol The fla? taken up, threshed o of the dim that notw which it generally i deed, if pr< lity equal the soil an( well as tha Hemp.— quantity of BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 63 Besides, the actual loss of the best quality of l!:e seed, that which remains is iu j^eneral materially injured; a few rainy days succeed- ing each other will sprout every grain of it : and although such a continuance of rainy wea- ther seldom happens during the harvest in Canada, yet certainly such occurrences some- times take place ; consequently, the flax-seed then exposed will be inevitably ruined for the purpose of sowing. The flax, upon being considered watered, is taken up, bound in sheaves, and the seed then threshed out : and such is the favourable state of the climate and superior quality of the seed, that notwithstanding all the bad treatment which it receive? , that which remains is generally found to be of a good quality : in- deed, if properly managed, it is in point of qua- lity equal to Dutch seed ; and would answer the soil and climate of Great Britain equally as well as that from Holland -i:« •u\ ' f ,} Hemp. — For some years past a considerable quantity of hemp has been produced in Upper li' ;i 1 1 t «4 IMPORTANCE OF THE Caiiadii ; iinirly in a sufficient quantity for the supply of that province with cordage. The prof)er and profitable method of cultivating and managing it, however, in all the stages of the necessary process through which it goes, from the time of its being sown, to the period of its being cleaned, is far from being well under- stood in that province; and, in the lower pro- vince the culture of it may be said to be hitherto unknown. The experiments hitherto made in the culti- vation of this article in Lower Canada have chiefly failed ; not in the smallest degree, how- ever, from auy unfavourableness either in the soil or climate ; but merely from the ignorance of those who have hitherto made the experi- ments. The Canadian farmers failed from their igno- rance of its genei*al management; particularly of the process which it undergoes after being pulled, as may be naturally conjectured from what I have observed concerning flax: and those who have tried the cultivation of it by way of example to the Canadian farmers, have generally failed of success on account of their ignorance of agriculture in general. if BRITISH AMERICAN COLON IKS. 03 for the The tig and of the I, from of its under- er pro- itherto ! culti- a have 3, how- in the orance experi- r igiio- cularly • being from and it by 5, have f their One, in particuhir, of these sage experinien- talistis reconnnended to the Canadian farmers to sow hemp instead of wlieat, becanse their land was exhausted with the growth of tliat crop; and did actually himself, upon a farm of about one hundred acres, which he had pro- cured for the purpose, notwithstanding this farm was in a very reduced and exhausted state, sow about twenty-five or thirty acres of hemp, as a commencement. This was a quan- tity sufficiently large for a twrm in a high state of cultivation, and of three or four times the extent of the one he occupied : of course this experimental crop was not worth the pulling ; and I believe never was wholly pulled. When we consider, therefore, that this inge- nious speculator recommended hemp as a crop suitable to land that would not produce wheat, — that he had actually sown it upon such land, which of course failed of producing a crop worth the reaping, it is evident, that if this curi- ous specimen of husbandry had any effect at all, it must have been to convince the Canadian farmers that hemp was not a crop suitable to the countrVi P it •■',1 ?'■» m \y\vo}{r\si'V or Tiir. I \ hill' Tor ^>lii'iii. ii \>nnM linvr Imm'u iiioit roni p:Hil»lr uilli roiuinnii N«Misr, and IIh' nilrH o< i»oo«l ln)slMnnlr>. lo lui\r iTrommrmltMl llio ifioMtli ol lump lo Iho ('t)iitulinii roriiuMM, iliu! Ihoy niimhl liuvr lind IIh' inoro nltundnnt rn»|i« ol' \OirMt. H<' iniiilH havr dcnir lliin willi ^;rrnl propiirly I'or. irimid lu' rnulrrrd rnpniilo of. and has aohiall) yit'Idnl a p:oov«>nld tlirn prodnro an ahundtmt rrop of luMnp, l»» sidoN IxMn^: again '» «* propor rondilii»n to \\oU\ anothor frrlilr nluni of wliont, or any olhov soil of grain. It is wiOl known lluil llu* longili of this ri'op is ont* of its nu>sl osscniial IiiimI, in pniiil ol Lrlilily. Im imIImi ill 11 I'rdiinMl Mitilr. Tliin rirriiiiiHhiiici', llirrr Coro, fTrliiiiily in Noiiir dri^nc ^riifnilly ope inirH n^iiiiiMt \\\v ciilliviitioii <»(' Imlli liMiip :iimI (I tix, IMh'It iin* iM'VriiliclrNH l(» he CoiiikI, lliron^;lionl llir ( !iiii>ifliiH ^iiirnilly, upon every (anil, even where the I>iimI \h tiiost ndiier'd, eertsiin pieeen of liind til inr pr(); very fertile eropH of eilln'r lieiiip or (hix: (or in- sliiiiee, hind newly hiken in; Hiiiidl pic-eeH ninh r peaNe, ni(*>id<>w, or what in:iy have olherwiHe Imm'Ii Nevrrul years under |j;raKs ; ov Hp<»lH lUal nmy, from one or (»lherof a variety of ranses, he iii(»n* tliaii ordinarily fertile: arnon^Ht. llieHe Miicli a <'lioi(M; iiii;jjlit \iv inadi', liy any one who poMseHsed any loh'rahly a('< ihitf idea of a;i • ! I ■ h ■i ■), ilture in (bserved, place in It which jsion of [ports of )wing to jment of idopted, ARTICLES OF EXPORT FROM THE BRITISH NORTH-AMERICAN PROVINCES. The articles exported from Upper and Lower Canada are, the produce of the forest, I' 1 * The attention of the board oT agriculture might be most profitably directed towards the improvement of the system of agriculture pursued in these colonies. If '' I I 70 IMPORTANCE OF THE viz. furs, square oak and pine tinibor, masts, spars, staves, deals, &c. and pot and pearl ashes; the produce of agriculture, such as w^heat, flour, bread, provisions, &c. Besides these, the Canadian exports consist of a nume- rous list of other articles, as enumerated in No. 1, in the Appendix; a list which not only shows the variety of which these ex- ports consist, but also exhibits an interest- ing view of the abundant resources of these provinces. The principal articles exported from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are, lumber, pot and pearl ashes, provisions, live stock, iish, coal, gypsom or plaster of Pa- ris, &c. These provinces are very advantageously si- tuated for the fisheries, particularly Nova Scotia. They have, however, both paid great attention to this branch of industry, by which means these fisheries are now brought to such a degree of perfection, as to render supplies of fish of any description from the United States to our West- Indian colonies altogether unnecessary. For. with the supplies of cod-fish which may be ob- tained from Newfoundland, and of salmon and I i ': ', i Vi BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 71 learl [\ as jides Linie- id in not ; ex- ?rest- these New mber, tock, Pa- isly si- icotia. tentioii theso :ree of >f an\ West- For. be ob- )\\ and t a ■; shad from Canada, theso colonies are not only sufficient to supply our West-Indian posses- sions with fish, but also the most extensive demand which we can secure from other markets. The lumber furnished by these two provinces is mostly from New Bruns- wick : and consists principally of masts, spars, square pine, deals, boards, scantling, black birch, &c. These colonies are sufficiently capable of supplying^ the demand both of the mother- country and her West-Indian colonies, with every kind of lumber, (i. e. timber or wood,) except those kinds which are only pro- duced in tropical climates, such as mahogany, lignum vitae, &c. : and, (with Newfoundland in respect to fish,) of supplying our West-Indian islands with grain, flour, meal, bread, fish, pro- visions, live stock, &c. And also upon a pro- per disposition of our commercial concerns in regard to drawing the produce of that part of the United States bordering upon the waters which have their out-let to the sea b-' the St, Laurence, and the necessary attention being paid to the encouragement of improvements in agriculture, these colonies would, in a very few '. M .A II v; \\ M If •t ■ '•) > 1. J 72 IMPOUTANfK OP THr, \('sn*s, \i<'ls, some may, perhaps, uri^r tho snialhi<\ss of tho proportion of thesr arliclos which have hitliorto Ihhmi siippHcd, and may press it as a presumptive proof of their in- adequacy to furnish tliem. To this ohjeetiou it may he answered, in the first phice, that the British colonit^ have Umg l)een crippled hy so many shackles, as shall b*^ made plainly appear, that they have never yd had a fair opportunity of ascertain iniz; how far they could have furnished these supplies ; and, in the next place, whenever any opportunities have l)een allowed, for their resources to flow in their proper channel, they have given the most ample proof of their heuig adequate to supply tlu^ most extensive demand. To argue, therefore, that the British American provinces are inadequate to furnish these supplies, upon the uri'ound of what thev have hitherto done, would he as preposteroiis, as to assert that the British Wt^st-lndian colonies cannot supply the mother-ronnlvv with cofleo, hecause that article niUTISH AMEUICAN COLONIES. 73 iH prniiitltMl to Im^ inlroduccd from Turkey ami lUnirbon for doviestic usty or tluit tlu; Bri- tish inaiiiiAirtnnM's an; itia(le(|iiat(; to .supply our (loiiM'slic waiitH, lu'rauso, French^ German^ Russian, Kast'lmimn, and olhcr forcnj^ii iiianu- farlnrcs ar«j ullowc;d to be iinpurte<^ for home cousumptiou. '. i':W|f''! lUCGH Upon done, at the ly the Eirticle After having made these observations con- eeniinjj;- llie nature of the ]>roperties and c|uali- ti(\s wliieh tliese provinces possc^ss ; eonKider- ing that the eommereial interests of (ireat Bri- tain is the main object whicli I have in view, particularly her shipping; interest, — that these provinces, notwithstanding the many discou- ragements they have laboured under, hav(; lately, (when a little relieved by our ruinous mspcnding-laws, and liceusing-si/stcm, acciden- tally ceasing to operate with their usual vigour and effect in favour of our enemies,) afforded a very large proportion of the employmentof our shipping, even equal to upwards of one-third part of all the tonnage which we employ in foreign trade, — and that these colonies from their ■ { ■ i 1 r 74 IMPORTANCE OF THE resources and capabilities having* been hitherto neglected, and their interests sacrificed to the United States and other foreigners, are there- fore evidently capable of contributing to the support of our commercial and shipping inte- rests, infinitely beyond what they have hitherto done. I shall, therefore, in the first place, take notice of, the enoi'mous sacrifice of our shipping and commerce to the United States occasioned hy the great and unjust advantages alloxved them over our oxvn yhnerican colonists; with some other causes of discouragement which these im- portant interests have experienced: and, in the second place, of the extensive^ valuable, and improvcable resources and capabilities, possessed bi/ our American provinces, as respect^ our shipping and commercial interests. ,.ii ■\\ BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS. 75 1* CHAP. III. OF THE ENORMOUS SACRIFICE OF OUR SHIPPINU AND COMMERCE TO THE UNITED STATES, OCCASIONED BY THE GREAT AND UNJUST ADVANTAGES ALLOWED THEM OVER OUR OWN AMERICAN COLONISTS; WITH SOME OTHER CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT WHICH THESE IMPORTANT INTERESTS HAVE EX- PERIENCED. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. With respect to these three importiint inte- rests, viz. of our ship-owners, our merchants, and our colonists, they, it may be observed, are so intimately connected, that, in most in- stances, whatever injures the one proportiona- bly injures the other, and vice versa. — For instance, by increasing the trade of our colo- nies, we thereby so far secure additional em- ployment to our ships, — business to our mer- chants, and a market for our manufactures ; — h A f.'l 4 H i i J ii ( V ! s ) I ! I 76 IMPORTANCE OF THE thereby securing these important interests in a channel wherein no rival has a right to come iu competition with us in time of peace, and "wherein no enemy has it in his power to inter- rupt the connection in time of war. By secu- ring a numerous and extensive merchant-ship- ping also, wenotonly thereby provide ourselves with the only means by which we can defend it, — by which we can protect our trade with foreign parts, and secure our safety and inde- pendence at home, but we also thereby greatly encourage the exportation of our manufac- tures and the extension of our commerce in general, by an extensive foreign connection, necessarily formed and secured by our mari- time industry. With respect to our commerce, we may, no doubt for a time, so far secure it, by employing foreign ships, where our own are either directly or indirectly excluded : yet, by following such a system we are not only fore- going the most valuable part of the profits arising from such transactions, but in reality meanly submitting to our enemies, and volun- tarily surrendering to them the means by which alone we acquired our commerce, and by which alone we can retain it. In fact, to pur- BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 77 ."•^1 sue measures adopted either to retain or extend our commerce at the expense of our shipping- interests, will prove but mean and miserable subterfuges, and, if persisted in, will ultimately lead to the ruin of our commerce as well as our shipping. The losses which our shipping and commer- cial interests have sustained, from the advan- tages allowed the Americans, may be stated to have originated and existed principally, — In the relaxation of our navigation-laws in favour of the United States, by opening the ports of our colonies to their ships ;— ^ In the admission of the produce of the United States into the United Kingdom, at the same rale of duties as that of our own colonies ; — In the advantages allowed American ships in the countervailing duties charged by the British and United States governments respectively ; — In the inequality of the amount of the duties charged upon the lumber we import in general ; — In the importation of enemies produce by license, &c. ; — and. In the high price of our ships, and the great expense at which they are navigated, compared with those foreign ships with which they have '. M mi ■ 'i^' ' < J H 7ft IMPORTANCE OF THE to roinc ill rom)>rtitioii. Each of tlies*^ points, coiiseqiiriitly, deserve a lew ol)servution8. ii mi: 1: ■ 1 t :? 1 'M f \ » 1 f ,4 > I i f 1 s II t i I. j 1 l! 1 I 1' i « !f ( : OF THE RELAXATION OP OUR NAVIOATION- LAUS IN FAVOUR OF THE UNITED STATES, BY OPENING THE PORTS OF OUR COLONIES TO THEIR SHIPS. For the encouragement of our shipping, the safety of our colonies, and the protection of our commerce, our forefathers, at an early pe- riod of our maritime consequence, enacted,* that no foreign ship should enter the ports of our colonies. This law our ancestors, even up to the present generation, respected and held sacred over every difficulty and distress: — viewing this, and other laws, enacted for the same important purpose, as essential to the support and protection of our merchant-ship- ping and commerce in general; and also, view- ing our merchant-shipping and commerce as essential to our maritime power and indepen- dence, they considered peace itself as no sacri- * See 12 Car. II. c. 18. n nRITlHH AMKRICAN rOLONIES. 79 rtce to the most scrupulous obNervaliou of our iiHvijE^ation-hiws iu ji^eiifTal. This wise hivv, so U(1inira1)ly oalcuhitcd to protect and promote the interests of our rom- inerce and our colonies, as well as of our ship- pinp^, has been of late years, however, e^reatly abused, and indeed almost totally disrei^arded : the greatest abuse which it has experienced has been in its relaxation in favour of the United States of America. The act of the 23d Geo. III. c. 39 ; empow- ering his Majesty in Council to suspend our navigation-laws in favour of the United States, led the way to a shameful system of concession to America, which we have acted upon towards that government ever since. The ftrst operation upon this act was to admit, by proclamation, the produce of the United States into this country, at the same rate of duties as was charged upon the produce of our own colonies ; * the first of these proclamations jh. i ^ * Your Majesty, by the said orders in council, did think lit to permit to be imported into the colonies or islands be- longing to your Majesty in America or the West.Indies, in British fhips only, navigated according to law, all such arti- !'■' I I, li' 'M \\\ i ' f I; fj ■ ] 80 IMPORTANCE OF THE wuH isHUi'd the 14th uf May, uud th(3 next on the (Jth of June, 178,3. This privilege was granted to conciliate and satisfy the chunorons disposition of th(! Ame- ricans, when roused by a sense of the privileges they had lof t by their independence, from find- ing themselves placed in the list of other forcigti JiaiionSt and their produce imported into Great Britain, was consequently rendered liable to the same duties as the produce of other foreign countries, — eflects which our navigation-laws, cles the growth, production, or manufacture, of any of the territories of the said United States, (except salted provi- sions, and the produce of their fisheries,) as might by law, before the declaration of independence, have been imported from the countries belonging to the said States into any of the said colonies or islands ; but your Majesty, at the same time, thought fit to prohibit any commercial intercourse be- tween the countries belonging to the United States of Ame- rica, and the colonies or islands belonging to your Majesty in America or the West-Indies, in ships belonging to the sub- jects of the said Stales. OBSERVATION. This last regulation, first established by order in council, has since been adopted and confirmed by act of parliament ; and, though the people of the United States complain of \i >i.i this foundi " any " the " Ami " ject upon a nations trade in their interest policy than thi Commiti '!/" liepc BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 81 t Oil > an\ rll JIM ni> Iio nidrnvniir lo Ht'rnrr (rinul'-ilim |»> rnnrrsMioii. ri-««|nriill\ Hiilijrrt llirmsrl\«N oiilv l«» nirjMiiiofJM nn AninirtniM wo rnsilv olihiiiMMl this m « Ml !nl\ Mnl:iJi<> lo w liirh lliry o\^ r ho lnr|io* ;» |»ro|M»rliou oi iIm ir slii|»|»iMn, '""' ^^*' miisi' «]urnll\ SI |M-o|ioi-|iniiiiM<> Iosh oI' niii'N. lliiil lliov oxMj ronsHlnrd it sin no luvoiir. I'or, oh- stMMi'.i;, hy his Msiji^slys pro< hniiiitfoii oC (hr '1{\ of .ImI\, I 7 mm. Ihsil Ihnr prodiirr uhh lo ho suhmllrd into our Wrsl-liuhsiii srllh'innilH, hul (h:il this piivih'^o did not rvlnid to thrii* slops 11 u'\ . Ill on \rv I tl o rxlorl iVoin iih IhiM f 111' i< i- roiK rssioii. iiiiposod, upon iinpoitiilioiisi lusidr Ml Uriiish ships, roniilorvailiiiu; to :ui sihsohitr pi'ohihilioii. j ( { > * Soo 'An n»'«M>iinl ol' this rnornioiis iiinrsisr in |»HK<' cvii. o( iMi. Vlt'lioson's book, nil itliMl " Ainciiisiii l''ju'roa<'liiiiriilx on Uiiloh Uiuhls." f With losprrt lo tlir nxiiMilos uJiitli llir I'liilcd Slsitrs. :uul tlio proviiu'os o( wliich lln\v siro iM)in|»o,s«M]urnor ol' his M;\irvt>\ onltM in «'oniu-il, oC 'id July, tho «'«Mninitt(V 4)n«i thai tho !itat(< ol IMai^hiiul has, on this a«« »Mnil, iin|>os«Nt a dnt> of li\i' >hilliiis»s jxm ton on ItiiliMh Hhippuii:. at thrir ont'.uu'o or rloaraiu-o in th(> ports of thai statr, «^whirh is said to hv U\o shillings iiioro than tlioy have Uid on all other shippintr.') and two p»M- rnit, ml valorcoi. lo 2i Ol il oil ar < OIllM Til •Ml tlir »Hi llic •he Uj powtij of th said si I'IM'IISII AlVII IMCAN r(H,(»NM q m \\w\v'm\ nl Mircliii^ IImm nrl of hoHlilily Willi rorn*M|MMi(liii{L> rrliiiitiloi y HH'tmiircH, llir KrilJHii MVf'i iiimI nlMivr wlml In MOW |))imI, mi m»y \ivn'i\\'\(i Im' |iiii«l, liy (111* rili/MH of llir h»'u\ >^\»\i\ ii|»(iii till Mtrt* litiiMli/c mii'I iiininirnt'lnrcq IIm' (jrowlli iiiul pr nf Htf»\ IWilMiii, itn- |m»iIimI ill miv lirili^h nhip or vrsm-l owim'«I »tr l»»'loiiyiiiy, in |MUl iM wIioIIy, !<• iiiiy niilisli mihjrri or milijt'rh. Am«I IIi<> tmsi'Milily of (Jcor^iti, now silling, Iims iiroliiiiilcd nil iiilcrcoiiisc wilii llir IliiliMli VVr<< of liln M>^j««ily in roniHil Im> revoked. * It (lorn itol >i|»|M'iir llitil Hiiy of ||m> oIImt shilcs linvr pnssrd liny Irfjinliilivc ticl lo llic like |>iii|ios<'; ImiI, in llic iissiiiililv of |NiiMi' ro.cic.f on the sniijrri, in Irrnis of n'SinliiM'nt to (irciit P>riliiin; find llir iiHscnildy ♦• mii powcK^d to |ii-oliiliit IJritisli vrHsrIs fr»)ni Inin;/ tin- rarrirrt* of tin- urowtli or prodnr:uit(Ml \\\c viiliiaMi' Imuhis, in liir roinnirrrial Irrnlv o( 1 7JM, of Inulifii;' to onr I'iiisl-liHliiin liirli III possrssions ; si pnvHru^o wlnrh wsis llirn, in vain sontfli* lor. hy HriliNli nunlianls. \\v- l>y llu» siilrs this ^'onrcssion. <>\Ioi'I\(, -I Indian islands \v«'rr nniiVnnily oprinni to th(Mr ships, upon principhs that, to thrir intr- n^st, wcvr ihr most I'avonrahh* which in|L;(M{nity <<>nl(l hax' (hvisiMJ, prin<'iph's. whidi shall hv proA«Ml to \\;\\c srrtn'rd the carriage oC almost tlir whoh^ imports maJr into thoMr islands to AnuM'iran ships, I^'or, allh(mi;h llioir ships \v« v<* hy law i^xclndcd tho ports of II ! 1' H It li od ; or 1o ri>non1 siicli o[\\cv nu'; iuul any knowhMtgo of his Majost)''!* ordor in t onncil. ol' '2i\ .luly. — Nrports of thr Conwiitttf of (\>uncil, fnwi Mr. Atchi son's Collection of Ifrports, Sfc. i ' HHIIINII AlVirCHK AN rOlONIJS. M.'> Mn1»- hulian nn, in . iu>- l»y ilH' «»urou- nf owY uvd to ir intf- ivcnnily li slr.ill iMp;r o\ poi is ol Itaiii, willi on Wosi Irr than on «lul\ was Majosly's ^;MMJ|7^•«■ <;/ (Mir \Vrs(-hMliim roliMii lo nU)7, niliiiiltrd witiioiil llir siiitliorily <»! iiny liiu ; iiiid, iiflci' lliiil pcriiMl, llicy wrn* iuliiiilhd, liy orHrrM ill (Mmiiril, luronliup- to ||h< AiiHii- <'MII-i|ll('lHr. I'roiii llir (oiiiiiiciK-niiriil oi' Aiiicriciiii iiidr* |M>n(lnMM>, lip In Ihc (l;it<> oT llir roiiiincrciiil Irrsily, in I7JM, ;iihI cvrii up lo llir pn'H<'ril. hour, vvr sippcnnMl suhI iin* still iippnniilly ill m loHN how lo rank llir AiiKiicjuis, — vvhni privi- leges llu'y wrnM^nlillnl lo, or wliiil proliilnlioiis llicy oiii^lil lo Ik' li:il)l(> lo in respect, to their beiiit^' placed ainoiiirst other rorei<<:;n iniiioiiH. How unt'orlniiiih! Iliul we did not, at iJieir very hirlh as a nation, liiid out, that they put every other (oreiji^ii nalion, with which they had dealitiju^N, iip(Mi a more i'avoiinihh; footing than UH, — that we did not, inslend of meanly purchasing an e ll»o sumo ^lillirs upon llifil produrr ns upon IIimI oi' ollur niilioiiH,- jhmI !)> nuposiiiii !i < nMiil( rvMitinit; «lnlv in Invonr of oin own sinpst (M|u-.iI Io wlinl lliry rlisuji^td in iMvour ol lluMis, inslcsul of \\\r iHlil'iil huiu (»(' 'I'liL \y.\\:\\}vvi\ Mj'niMsl I'A: 10: prr Ion.* llowi^rr, in lliis nnroriuiralr (lilrniiiui, willi rosp(M I lo \\\\:\\ nliihon [\\v IJnilrtl SIjiIoh should sliuul l«>unnlH ns, wo not niily p;iivo llio AimrirauH Uio mosi, uiibotiiHlcMl ii(lv:iiitii^;rN o\rv otIuM' roHMjU,*!! iiiitioiKs aiitl nv(M' our own (olonists, I)iil also rvni ovn* Uiilisli Hl)i|>- OMIUMN and Hrilish nn icljanls. Vor l\w. p%»rts oi' onr Iv.ist-lndiaii roloiiirs n<'i*4» iiol only opoiunl io lin* sliips and to hvx (*oininoi''s(M»pt tlu» l^ast-lndia i company) uoro not t)nly rxoliultMl, hut iiisulttMl, l»y hoing toh! thai, tluMr l)oin|L; adiuitt rt>lonit\*< would ru(huii;'n' tho satoty of thr wholo ot' our iudian ost Mishriu nls. JJiii no sucli ra laiuit V, 1 1 \\* mid appear, was apprr hoiuhul. l>v our iiovrrnniont, fVoiu this Ainni ran iult iy k!m li ii ('oiii|»siriRoii, ill uiiy oilier roiiiilry in llic ( ivi lizcd world, wrr«' iM-vtrllicliH^, in or(l< r lo •;;nn llic coiiCMU'iifc ut' tlu'ir own i;ov«rnnM nt, in rr- H|M'('l to their lieiii^; allowed to trade t(» Ihese rolonies ol' llu'ir own <'onntry, oMiu;ed to per- Hoiiale a people, who \vv(^re tiUowtMl, in the most unreasonable manner, to come into oom- petition with our East-India Company in this tra(h% wliicli either ouglit to have beeni sacred to that company, or thrown open to tlieir coun- try at lare^e. This t>ranch of comnierce, wliich was opened to the Americans in British India, aflforded an opporl unity, which thi^y (^ml)raced to the fullest extent, of fillinj; the British American and West-I'MJian colonies with East-Indian manu- factures of every description, not only to the injury of the East-India Company, but also to the injury of British nianufacturers. This trade being- now opened to the country in general, however, will form no apology whatever for again opening it to the Ameri- cans. The former privileges they enjoyed in tliis respect, being improvidently granted, can give them no claim ; it is, therefore, to be hoped, that their flag, excepting ships which might put in in distress, siiall never again wave in the ports of these or any other British colonies. " HIUTl.M AIMKRICAN <:«>1,(>N Il'S. 8J) yVlthoii^li llie Ann'iicaiis were, as alruacly ()l>s«TV(,' \l 'li ), • w \\ \ II if' ' 02 IMPORTANCE OF THK them, there was then eveti but a small proportion of what they did export sent thither; and, conse- quently, a large share of the supplies of these settlements continued still to be furnished from the United States. The inconveniencies, to which we were rendered liable by this depend- ence upon America, were also greatly increased by the want of proper convoys to protect our ships employed in this intercourse with the United States. This danger to which our ships were expo- sed was afterwards pleaded as an excuse for a further suspension of our navigation-laws, in opening the ports of our West-Indian colonies to American ships, as well as to their produce: and this suspension was managed in such a man- ner, as answered the purpose of the United States injinitely better than even its total repeal. From die inconveniencies suffered, by a want of adequate protection to our ships em- ployed between the United States and our West-Indian islands, at the commencement of the late French war, serious inconveniencies were felt in the West Indies for want of lumber, and the greatest distress for want of food ; — every article selling at the most enor- '\ I • BRITISH AMRRICAN COLONIES. ,03 inous prices, and the inhabitants thrculened with actual famine, the governors of the re- spective islands, were under such distressing circumstances, compelled, as a dernier resort, to open the ports to the Americans, both to their produce and to their ships. Then glutted markets and a depression of prices ensued, and the ports again closed to the Americans ; and, then, of course, as the stock on hand became exhausted, prices again advanced, until at last it again became neces- sary to open the ports to the Americans, for a fresh supply ; thus producing a continued and rapid succession of extremCvS, which occa- sioned the moat serious incouveniencies ; — in- conveniencies which often reduced our West- Indian colonists to the necessity of eating- sour flour and half rotten provisions at the most exorbitant prices ; and at the same time almost excluded the produce of the British provinces from the West-Indian market. The comparatively greater distance at which the ports of the British provinces, than those of the United States, were from the V/est Indies ; and the ports of the British provinces being principally shut up by the frost, during 1! i i! f • *-:■ f v i n i I M f 'i ( 111 TMrnnTANrp or nir llu» uiiiirr sniNoii, iiri' I'in'mnHlmirrM, wliiili, nIHiMiinli, ill |Im|\(iiilrr4' IIimI iMrrl, i\\u\ l(» ronlinnr lo oprrnh* in this nro(hi(MMl l»y lliis lau and its hwh- piMision usis krpi in plsiy. Whilst lariio storks rnnainrd on hand, pri- rc^s wcvo inod( raio ; Init, as thr snp<*i'-alMnidant tpiantity IxManio r\hansi<>d, Iht* (arlhcr snp- plitvs htMni; still d<'pri(M^s as wvvv Ihns prodiuMMJ, and ao('(>nlins;ly dt spahluul cargoes to inn^t lluiii, th< •kel c\r shii)iniMits \v(M'«» sun* to nu el tlir inai in tin verv rt v«m'so stalc^ of wh.at tlu'v had heeii informed ; smli adventurors wvvv sure to tiiid tlHtrfHIt AMI'.Hlr AN roi.ciNirs. f»r> liirli, > httd I tin* I llir iimI I<» wliilsl H HUM- I, l>n- ndiiiit r Hup- 10 pn-- ;ni oh nnnr- csurity naikri 1 been to liucl ♦•very HriliMli iNltiiHl in Ihr VVrHl IikImm i^ImIUmI, iitid prodiice Nrllinir prrliiips tit pii(-i*s Inwer llitui tliosr current iit tlir ports wlinr lliiir sliipiiMMilM were iiiMdc. riicy iiltiiiiutrly foiiiid llnit wliiil iiiiirjit Ih' trniird a hriMk (Iriiiniid '.111(1 riictHirn^iii;; prirrn mooii Iim roiMcd t(» lltiil dfiirtii and uliiiost iirtiitd r>iiiiirM>, uliirli pro- diircd the iirrrNNily lor opniini; llir ports l(» llir AiiH'iiraiis, who, t'rcMii tlirir rovinces to he Mocked up l>y the frost in wintfT, as two causes which con- trihuted to the exclusion of the produce, of 1 I . M M .) ii t ! ~ IS 5 M t ' ^i f)fl TiMi'OHTANrr, nv rwv. !! ( ^ a i!' Ml si? SJCft. lluvsi' provinrrs iVrMii llir VVi'nI liuliiH. IIjhI only onr of IIion*' two rniiHrH cxiNtiMl, our roiitiiuMttnl rolonists wonM ImviMM'rlMiiily fotur in lor n slisiro in rnrniNhin^- \\\v Wrst-huliiui n»MrU«M Milh AinrrirMU procliicc. Il niny hv nrj>urv llir (VohI, Jiro innipnljlo of lumisliini; oin* VVi'sl-lndiun <'c>loniRls with n^iiuhu* snppli(»s. Willi roi^Mnl lo tluMlishniro, nil :ir<\ r\«M'j)lini; hiuUm* llio ('ircnnisliiiuM's pnxlurcd hy llio nlltM'ir.iic oprniniL!; and slinllinp; tlir niarkd lo lln* Ainoricans, sc an^rlv deserves lo l)(^ r:dl('vlii<'li inii»lil ariHr iVoni llio vo to tivo luonths : l>ul, an additional slork lai •I ^4 i. 1 FiN i! n t.i IIIUTfFM AlVTKRirAN ('0!.ONlr„«;. W nclinn rovin- line of H with ii^tJi oi* ', uurin('ipally clrpi*nH upon (laiuula, mo far Mir< iiUialiituiit^ oi' tlio WfHl-ltiHioM wonlil iwrplirr lo lay in a Ninnll axUiiliotial Hlock in IIh^ fall of Hip y<"»'% rt"^ *'•<' navi^aliori of llio Si. Iiaiir«mr«i JH hIuiI; tip liHwoni Oiiiraiifl (ivn monllm. 'Vhin ooiiM l»o flono without fniilirr iHcotivonii^nrc? Ilm»< Iho ont-biy of moni*y, and al>onl half rt' dolhir per hnrrol, for which it may lio wanaiilrcf lo kfipp twelve* inoiilhH, inMeatl of IVmr or livr. Ak |)arl, however, iiii^hl hv ohtaituMl frr»m Iho lowpr proviiicf^H, where thplieH of Ihat article, would hv. also the layinq; in three or four months stock in th(; fall of the year. Fish and provisions would keep with the greatest safety ; at least, if they were cured and packed in a itianner suitable to the climate, H ,-« ' I i ! i f)8 IMPORTANCE OF THK m they could receive but little, if any, injut-y, from heinu^ ke|>t for this length of time. Thus, it Jippears, that .so far as the British provinces are capable of supplyius^ our West- Indian seltleinents with flour, meal, bread, grain, kc. linnber, lish, and provisions, and the furnishiuij^ of such supplies confined to the resources of these provinces, no difficulties need be apprehended either from the distance or from tlu^ occasional suspension of the navigation during winter: and, indeed, upon that trade being encoiu'aged to flow in this channel, no in- convenience could possibly be experienced. The (piantity of wheat and flour, &c. hitherto annually exported from the British provinces, has been certainly short of wlrat was suffi- cient for the supply of our settlements in the West Indies. This circumstance, although, for obvious reasons, no proof of their inade- quacy, yet formed an additional excuse for the admission of United States produce nito these settlements. '.. .; : • The hostile spirit of the American govern- ment, with some other circumstances, have at length convinced us of the capability of our American provinces, of supplying not only our BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 99 Jritisli West- bread, nd llie to tlie es need Dr from ligation t trade I, no in- ced. hitherto ovinces, snffi- in the though, inade- e for the ito these o-overn- have at y of our only our as West-Indian colonies with lumber, but, also, the motiior country. And, althotigh notlnng has yet taken place, at all calculated to in- crease the exportation of flour, (at least, how- ever far any circumstances may have occurnul favourable to that pau\, others have operated proportionably against it,) yet, it is no less clear, that in time of peace with the United States of America, flour may be obtained from our possessions upon the St. Laurence, in suf- ficient abundance for the supply of our West- Indian islands. The American embargo and the continental system have, ever since J 807, produced an ex- traordinary demand, in Canada, both for lum- ber and flour. This great demand for fish and lumber, of every description, has been completely answered. For the British American forests producing timber in abundance, and the population of these provinces being sufficiently numerous to hring it to market, (at least, with the assist- ance they had from the Americans,) the great- est demand for that article, therefore, which has ever occurred, in the British colonies, has been abundantly answered. The proportionate H 2 ? ; 1 .'i «■') ? I I ?« I ^f V, 100 iMi'owTiNn? or mr; Hoinmul i\M iln\ir. Iu>>vrvn, Iuip mluiiily no! hooii suppluMl. I'oi Hip t'iiTUin^lmuit^H upou Mlnrh Ihr inrnuNr o( llip r\|)oiifiiimi ol' llmi Oi(l« 1 uiahMinlly. Im>IU iu Ikvu' iwi' ri\Hilv prrnMvril. nvi'M* uvurh nuup ntU nloliMl (o prcvnii nnpplir!>i ol flour than oi linnlMn* \h'\\\^ liron^lil (o tho i'li n;»«ii:in port^i |''ov. nllluMi^lt llu» «n|»|»lioN <»i lumhrr. iVoiu (ho Aiiiohrnii nitli? of Ihi' Si l.!nu(Mu«\ \MM*r rthuoHl rnliroly «*nl oil', )''l thoiH' l>(Mu,u an abuiulnnt <|Uiiii(ily (»r(l)»l iu1irl<^ upon ihr i\in;\ilian Irmlory, ii lunl only lo Im' (Ut (h>^n\ :uul llotOfMl h> nuoKol ; whorrtiN, it phunly uppnuN. ihul. on mHouul ollho /Vnini can pi\>lul>.ilvv»\v Uivv?», Iho incnm»«) ofUio ipiau lily ot' (loin* (or < xporltUion wai^ tlopfMulinil upon lhuth the t\'llinji of tiniher. Vnr, over sinee Mr. Je(rei\son"s enibarp), in ItU)?. tlie mip pl\es tViUn the Aniorieans biMn;; alnn»!vas to be i^xpoeleil; nhereas, tor the niMri»i« aMi rirr/iN 9 iinlliiii(ir lo |m-( vrdt nil llM'N»Hftl» ill M||. (m|mmN o( lilhihn ; >il ImisiI. iKlJ li^llil (III* < (iiiiiilfiMMiiriit nf M< hiril lioMhlili< ^ AhlillM^ti IIk Mil |Moliih)fHry iiMMMiir^K o( llip /li^^i^ildin jiMv» |iorf<^ of IIM' Hi. Lihikiki*, mimI prodiH iniij liij/h^f |Hi(-(*N lliitii lli(fli>iil ('Xfiortn ol thul Mtlirlr , itild, ih/iofoiT, itlliioU^li Miry rrrnfrd in lh#' AifirrK'niiM, ^ilimlrd (i|'<)fi tfi('> (^insifliHri fron i'fttH, nil ifirlinntioii fo iirrfri th( {t(tr\^ of t)ir< Sf. (iiiiirMiCi', ill |Im< diMposnl of ffu ir prop* rly, yot, llir«<' prfVjik" (Oiilit iiof Inrrrftf, by Hk; f ir Oimif^tiinrc, nVrr lirtviii^ \h(' p6v^fY of jr < hoi< o. Hitd riof, opf«rt licmtilitrrs nrfimlly ((ffutfuti- cNl, lioVvrvrr, and, nl fhn «nmr hir»<\ Am^rira hud rorifiinifd, l»y lirr pi*(dfifiilory Inws, to \<'itfili(»ld Miifijdii'H fT*r»rri our W*'mI Jodinri iMiniidH, n rotirtidrrfililr «npply »f flour wfiiild h;iv<' found its wny to tlip (';injidinr. ports, how(;v«!r vi^ihud, l\u' Airtfrirjins mifi^ht havf- hociV 16 prr-vi'iil it, hy ♦•nforf;irit( thi* Ifiwa f-sta- blishH fr»r thfit piirpoM*'. TIk- Intf* prohibitory f=5? . j': i I .() I III' h ■I i ,- I i '' -; [•'' u V. V 102 IMPORTANCE OF THE laws of the United States have done a very essential service to the British American pro- vinces, in putting an end to the absurd practice of alternately shutting and opening the ports of our West-Indian islands to the Americans, a practice which it is obvious was unnecessary and highly impolitic; and, indeed, has proved extremely injurious to our shipping-interest, dis- couraging to our continental provinces, and hurtful to our West-Indian colonists: it is, there- fore, to be hoped, that that pernicious and ruin- ous licensing-system will not be adopted, to supply the place of the other absurdity. Agree- ably to what I have already observed, the Eng- lish government had it certainly in their power to have fran I and enforced an act, which would have proved effectual in the encourage- ment of the exportation of prodace from the British Amrrican provinces into our West-In- dian islands, and, at the same time, secured to the inhabitants of these islands regular and abundant supplies, without opening the ports of these settlements, either to the produce or the ships of America, This purpose might have been accomplish- ed, by permitting, ui)on certain conditions., the w- BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 103 importation of such articles of American pro- diice into our West-Indian settlements, as the British provinces were then unable to furnish in sufficient quantities. For instance, had the British provinces not been all at once adequate to supply our West- Indian possessions with flour and lumber, then let these articles have been admitted into these settlements, liable to such a duty as would have encouraged the transportation of the flour, manufactured upon the United States side of the St. Laurence to the Canadian market, in- stead of the ports of the United States. And, as it cannot surely be uiged, that we could not furnish ships to transport such temporary sup- plies as might have been thus wanted from the United States, let them have been importable only in British ships. Had such a measure been adopted; it would have immediately secured the carriage of the whole to our own ships, and in a few years would have encouraged such an influx of American produce to the ports of the St. Lau- rence, as would have enabled the British pro- vinces to supply our West-Indian possessions >vith every article of American produce of Pi f It 11 ifn ' 1 ■■ i\ i n II ■ ill' r h I r i t ■:( ^? I i';>t 1 1 ■ 1.6 ■ f J I I ! i I I 104 IMPORTANCE OF THE which they stood in need, (some trifling arti* oles excepted, which are not produced in these latitudes, such as rice, &c.) Such a measure, according to No. 6, in the Appendix, would have added 211,043 tons to the annual employment of our ships, being an amount of tonnage, upwards of one-Jifth of the whole which zve employ in foreign trade ; and would have added no less than ^1,477,301 to ^he annual earnings of our merchant-shipping. Indeed, such a system of policy would have brought the whole produce of that part of the United States, which lies along the Canadian frontiers, tq the ports of the St. Laurence, and thereby enabled the Caiiadas to have furnished the mother-country, also, with large supplies of wheat and flour : but, as these affairs have hi- therto been regulated, the very produce of the Canadas has, in several instances, been carried to the ports of the United States; a melancholy proof of want of attention to our commercial and maritime affairs, and of the assiduity and attention of the Ameri :an government to that important interest. "^'1 adequacy of our American provinces to the supply of our West-Indian settlements, with flour and lumber, \ > ^ BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 105 in the tons to being .fifth of le ; and r,30i to ipping. lid have rt of the Vnadian nee, and urnished ppUes of have hi- ce of the carried slancholy imercial uity and it to that of our of our lumber, as well as American produce in general, how- ever, being discussed more at large in another part of this work ; and being a subject which it is unnecessary to pursue further, as relating to that now under consideration, namely, the opening of the ports of our colonies to the United States, it may be dismissed for the pre- sent. It may be observed, from what has been ad- vanced upon this subject, that this relaxation of our navigation-laws, in respect to our West- Indian colonies, has been a downright sacri- fice; because, upon the one hand, we had no equivalent for the concession, and, upon the other, there was no circumstance in existence which rendered such a measure necessary. This extraordinary and unprecedented pri- vilege, which has been so unjustly granted to the American — at the expense of our own — shipping^interest, in respect to the West Indies alone, amounts to no less than about 211,043 tons of 40 cubic feet, as stated in No. 6, in the Appendix. To ascertain the amount of tonnage which this trade has added to the American shipping, it may be observed, that ships generally carry ' s t| t M > ■ ti i ^' ' i\ ' f J. 4 i ) i' ■ f iv ' '' ■ I H 100 IMPORTANCE OF THE about a ton and an half measurement-goods per ton rej^ister : but, it must be observed, that as the greater part of tlie ships employed in this trade are small sharp vessels, being generally fast sailers, they cannot be consequently computed to carry more than about a ton measurement to the ton register : the register tonnage, annually cleared out of the American ports in this trade, therefore, cannot have been less than 211,043. The amount of the tonnage which the Ame- ricans have employed in their trade with our East-Indian colonies, could not be correctly ascertained. At a moderate calculation, however, we may conclude that this most gratuitous sacrifice of our shipping, by relaxing our navigation- laws, in respect to opening the ports of our colonies to the United States, has at least add- ed 300,000 tons to the employment of Ameri- can shipping: computing the employment which they had in their intercourse with our our colonies in the East-Indies, in America, in the Mediterranean, in Africa, &c. altogether, at only 88,957 tons. Our legislative proceedings, both in respect lo tlie tra any preference from us iu this vespe(;t ? , f > 'J A- i' i • Tonnage-dutii'Sf giving a preference to the. .ships of the United States and of other nations over Jtose oj Great Britain. By a law made in Feiisylvania, a duty or 4*. (id. per ton, for every voyage, was ir^posed upon' the vessels of evcrj" na- tion with whivh congress had not made treaties of aommerce. By a hiwt made in Maryland, a duty of \s. per ion was im- posed on all foreign shipping, except British ; and a duty of 5.V. per ton upon BHtish shipping. By a law passed in Vir- ginia, in 1788, a duty of %$, per ton was imposed' on British vessels, aud 3«. per ton on all other foreign vessels. By a law m-ade in North Carolina, a duty of bs. per ton was im- posed on British vessels ; and a duty of \s. per ton on alt ottier vessels. Duties on imports, giving a preference to those of the (United States and of other nations oitr those (f Gt^at Britain. By laws passed in the provinces of New Hamp»liirc, Mas- sachusetts-Bay, luid Phode-Island, in 1785, a duty of. Grf. currency, being equal to 4^rf. sterling, was imposed on every bushel of salt imported in ships owned,' in whole or in part, by British subjects; and, by laws passed in tiie^ states > of N« BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. li:^ The injury of such partiality, tujth to our colonics in America 'uid our shipping, is ini- iiicnse. The low duly cliar^ed upon American timber in particular has undouhtedly added an enormous proportion to the amount of Iht; shipping of that country, junl evidently prevent- ed a proportionable increase in the amount of ours. Had the same duties been cliarged upon her timber, as were charged upon that from other foreign countries, the quantity which she could have imported would have been very small indeed ; and, considering the state of affairs upon the continent of Europe, such a measure must have proportionably encreased our importations of timber from our own pro- vinces; and, consequently, secured the car- riage of it to our own ships. For the 18*. Qd. per load upon fir timber, and other duties so ■it''- l\ i- New York and M arylanti, the cargoes of British ships are, in every case, to pay double the duties imposed on those of other nations. In Virginia^ a law was established, to com- mence in March, 1788, by which an additional duty was imposed '^n all raerchandize imported in British ships. — /?f* port of me Lords of the Committee of Council, from Mr. Atcheson's Collection of Reports. I 114 IMPORTANCE OF THE - I * \ ]l V 'n' generously sacrificed to the Americans, would of course have oeen so much in diminution of that proportion of the price left to pay freight, &c.; and, consequently, given our ships, em- ployed in the carriage of timher from our own colonies, a proportionate advantage over Ame- rican ships similarly employed from the United States; and thereby, at last, enabled ns to have entirely shut up this source, whence Ame- rica derived so large a proportion of the en- crease and support of her shipping. British ships, from the immense expense at which they were navigated, — from their being by the American countervailing duties prohi- bited the privilege of carryins^ even almost any share of our exportations to that country, and having the benefit of only a mock countervail- ing duty in our importations, — were, therefore, virtually excluded from the carriage of Ameri- can produce imported into this country in ge- neral ; and our own provinces being capable of supplying us with some of the most bulky arti- cles of which these importations consist, parti- cularly timber, rendered the in^position of these duties still the more necessary. America may allege that the same duties ih Chins shew prevei I this c( ciple for su ensure I count! I a silly I to plej J ed the I * 4 »equir I might I actlv t m\:>. I ' .•'.: BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES 115 being charged upon her timber, as upon that from the Baltic, would altogether prohibit its importation into this country. Be this as it may, — this is a point with which we have no concern. Were we to take such a circum- stance into consideration, and to make allow- ance for it in regulating the amount of our duties, how far would such a rule lead us ? To admit this principle would be to admit a precedent of the greatest impolicy, and indeed of the most extravagant folly. Upon such a principle, the Emperor of China, had he timber for exportation, might shew us that it was only the high freight that prevented his timber from being exported to this country, and witn propriety urge the prin- ciple we had admitted and adopted, as a plea for such a regulation in his favour, as would ensure the exportation of his timber to this country, as well as his teas. It would be but a silly argument, in opposition to such a plea, to plead that a sacrifice of 20^. per ton answer- ed the Americans purpose, whereas, he would require cf 20 per ton : the loss to us, indeed, might differ materially, but the principle is ex- actly the same. I 2 % ^ii j:'i r^^i;i "E ( ;.i ■^: 116 IMPORTANCE OF THE AM that America can, in reason and justice, require of us, upon this score, is, to be put upon a footing with other nationst — a privilege which she has in very fevi^ instances extended to us, but upon many occasions singled us out, by the most marked insults and disadvantages.'*'' ii * Duties on imports, giinng a preference to those of other nations over those of Great Britain. By laws made in the provinces of New Hampshire, Mas- scchusetts-Bay, and Rhode-Island, a duty of 6*. sterling, per hundred weight, is laid on cordage of British manufacture, and only half that duty if it be of the manufacture of any other foreign nation. — By a law passed in the province of Maryland, a duty of 2s. per cwt. was imposed on brown and clayed sugars imported from the British West-India islands ; and a duty of Is. 6d. per cwt. on the like articles imported from the plantations of France, Spain, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden ; and % duty of Id. per pound on refined sugar imported from Grent Britain ; and a duty of Id. per pound on the like article imported from the dominions of France, Spain, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden.— >By a law passed in South Carolina, in 1 784, higher duties} were imposed on the produce of the British West-India islands than were payable on the like produce of the West-India islands of other foreign nations ; and, in Georgia, similar acts were passed, for the same puqioses. The committee believe, that the laws be fore mentioned are by no means all that have been passed for the purposes before stated. The regulations made in II! BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 117 d justice, I put upon ege which led to us, 3ut, by the ;es/ those of othtr mpshire, Mas- \s. sterling, per manufacture, facture of any le province of on brown and ndia islands; icles imported md, Denmark, refined sugar {d. per pound ons of France, law passed in Imposed on the n were payable )f other foreign passed, for the It the laws be ve been passed ations made in It is notorious, that, at this very moment, staves imported into this country from the United States are only liable to one-third the amount of duty charj^ed upon staves from other foreign countries, — even upon those imported from countries with which we are in the strictest amity.* By charging the same rate of duties upon the timber of all foreign countries, and regu- lating the amoimt of the duties as circum- stances and our own interest point out, we these respects, by the several legislatures, are so various, that it is hardly possible to obtain a complete account of them. The merchants of Glasgow estimate the tonnage-duty, im- posed in the period above mentioned, on British shipping throughout all the United Slates, to have been, on an aver- age, 2s. 3d. more per ton than on American ships, and that this charge on a ship of 200 tons, amounts to of'22 : 10 for each voyage ; and they estimate the duty, imposed during the said period, on goods imported in British ships through all the United States, to be, upon an average, 2 per cent, more than on the like goods imported in American ships, and that this charge on a cargo of tjie value of o£'2,000 amounts to «£'40. — Report of the Lords of the Committee of Council, from Mr. Atcheson's Collection of Reports. * Fish, foreign staves, and lumber, are now excluded, by order of council, from the British West Indies. ' i,v ', t 118 IMPORTANCE OF THE ■M i V I might, in a very few years, secure the carriage of that article entirely to our own ships ; and also, the supplying of it to our own colonies. The advantages to be derived from the ac- quisition of this employment to our own ships would be immense. And it is our own fault if we do not secure the carriage of every load of timber which we import. For no foreign nation would ever think of complaining of the duties which might be im- posed for this purpose, provided they were equal in amount: — being a matter of mere domestic policy, and imposed agreeably to an inherent right, which we enjoy in common with other nations, of imposing what duties we choose upon foreign produce, no nation could or would ever complain of their amount. Neither the American, Russian, Prussian, Danish, Swedish, nor any other foreign go- vernments, consult our interest or inclinations in respect to the duties they impose upon such produce and manufactures as they import from this country ; then, certainly, neither are we, tlierefore, under any obligation to consult any of their interests or conveniencies in this re- spect : far losi* to adopt m- continue measures (■! BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 119 which sacrifice our most important commercial interests to their advantaj^e. It is no doubt to this sacrifice of our duties upon American produce, that America owes a very large portion of her shipping*. The ton- nage which she annually cleared out for this country with timber alone, before the hostile measures she adopted towards ns, was not less than 120,000 tons: being a downright sacrifice of a proportionate amount of our own shipping, — of our American provinces, — and, indeed, of our whole mercantile interest. I'. % J li : ^ \r OF THE UNREASONABLE ADVANTAGES ALLOVl^ED TO AMERICAN SHIPS, IN THE COUNTERVAIL- ING DUTIES CHARGED BY THE BRITISH AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENTS RESPEC- TIVELY. ?! t ' I n The difference, or extra duties, charged by the government of any particular country, upon the goods imported in foreign ships, compared S!i I :*! ■ ,"1 '■ ill • ■ ,s ; > .1 I' 120 IMPORTANCE OF THK witli that iiuported in their own vessels, is an alien, or, conntervailing, duty, intended only to affect the sliipn ; its object is neither the gene- ral policy of the importation of the goods uhich constitute its subject, nor the funds which it is to furnish ; but, for the express pur- pose of encouraging and securing the freight to its own shipping. A relative equality of this duty, therefore, as respects the relation in which nations stand to each other, is but just and reasonable. In- deed, nc gcernnient, which attends to its own interests, will ever suffer an inequality in this respect to operate against them : but will charge, in favour of their own ships, equal to what is charged against them in every foreign country respectively ; otherwise they are evi- dently guilty of conniving at the destruction of their own shipping-interest.* 'f M I ■ * Your Majesty by the said orders in council, has allowed the goods and merchandize, being tlie growth, production, or manufacture, of the territories of the United States, though imported in ships belonging to the subjects of \\vt United States, to be exempted from the alien-dutj. OBSERVATION. The goods imported in ships belonging to all other foreign BRITISH AMERIC\N COLONIES 121 The method, or data, by which the Britiuli and American governments have levied their It ' A nations, are subject to the alien's duty ; and the government of this country has received frequent complaints fiom other foreign nations of the distinction thus made, to their preju- dice, in favour of the United States, (page 54.) As the security of the British dominions principally de- pends upon the greatness of your Majesty's naval power, it has ever been the policy of the British government to watch, with a jealous eye, every attempt which has been made by foreign nations to the detriment of its navigation: and, even in cases where the interests of commerce, and those of navigation, could not be wholly reconciled, the government of Great Britain has always given the prtference to the inte- rests of navigation : and it has never yet submitted to the imposition of any tonnage-duties, by foreign nations, on Bri- tish ships trading to their ports, without proceeding imme- diately to retaliation. In the year 1593, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the State of Venice, (which was then one of the first mari- time powers of Europe,) made a distinction to the disadvan- tage of English ships in the duties on merchandize imported into, or exported from, the Venetian territories : Queen Eli- zabeth, in a charter she at that time gave to the Turkey Company, forbade, during the twelve years which the said charter was to continue, the importation, into England, of currants, or the wine of Candia, in Venetian ships, upon for- feiture of the said ships and their cargoes, unless the state of Venice shoqld think fit to abolish the distinction before mentioned, to the disadvantage of the ships of England : — ..I ft I; I i. \n -> ( t \ ;,l| ii ; > i • ' ( ■ ( 'I ^ t , ,1 BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 125 ■> .t to the measure, or bulk, of the goods; such as cotton, sugar, wine and other liquids, 8cc. I have, therefore, adopted this as the most pro- per measure, or standard, by which to estimate the tonnage, in any discussions concerning freight. By the statement No. 3, it will be found, that the countervailing duty per ton, which we charged in favour of our own ships, was 6s. Qd. upon cotton, and 15s. upon tobacco: but, upon lumber, which of all others, is the article of the most material consequence, being the most bulky, there is only 6g !^S. 1 j 'i 'i i I < i {( ' If I i i 11' 126* IMPORTANCE OF THE toji, averi«»iiig about Jj3» ^^'•^'^ charged upon the goods imported in British Mhi|>s. T s (hicimient shews us, that the Aiuericaii ^•overniiieiil, instead of protecting and encou- raging their slnj)ping-int(Test, by a countervail- ing duty, of oidy about the sixtieth part of the freight, secured that important interest more ertectually, namely, by a countervailing duty of nearly ihezvhole amouiit of the freight. It is also important to observe, that, in 1804, the American government raised the whole duties charged upon their imports from this country, and at the same time added some- thing more than ^ per cent, ad valorem, to their old countervailing duty ; being an addition of about 105. per ton, averaging the value as in No. 4. It is likewise remarkable, that our govern- ment did not raise the duties charged upon American produce imported into this country until the vear 1808; and it is moreover notori- ous, that, instead of the countervailing duty being then also raised, it was actually reduced; — reduced from an insignificant trifle to a mere shadow, — from about \Qd. per ton upon lumber io lid, ' if BRkTiSH AMERICAN COLONIES. 127 upon overn- upoii oiintry notori- diity diiced ; to a upon tr Thus we see that, after having for several years submitted to the most exorbitant addi- tional duties, charged by the United States in favour of her own ships, without having re- course to retaliation in any shape, we at last, for the protection of our shipping-interest, adopted measures which were but calculated to mock our injured ship-owners; for, what could be more insulting than to talk of protect- ing their interests by allowing them eighteen pence to balance an imposition of ^3 ! ! When Wo did at last charge the alien-duty upon our importations from the United States, we were not bound to lay it on according to any certain rule, — neither by a per centagc upon the duties, nor by any other particidar mode ; but, whatever the mode adopted might have been, the amount charged ought, as to the proportion which it bore to the freight, to have exactly corresponded with that charged by America : — in fact, it ought to have been i^3 per ton instead of 1 M, As this duty is specially laid on to the dis-^ advantage of foreign ships, for the interest and encouragement of the ships of the country into which the importations are made ; and, as Hi |v) V >♦. f ' . M'-i ■'i '. •\ f ■ Is 5 f 128 IMPORTANCE OF THE such distinctions have been acceded to both by us and the Americans, undoubtedly neither na- tion could object to the other's making a charge in favour of their own ships, equal to what the other charged in favour of theirs: the interest of the ships being the direct object of the tax. It is, therefore, unreasonable to suppose, that any certain per centage upon the duties could be considered an equitable mode of levy- ing this duty; and equally absurd to suppose, that either nation, whilst they had the least claim to common sense in support of their arguments, would object to the other's charging this countervailing duty, even at the rate of 3,300 per cent, upon their other duties, provi- ded such a proportion were requisite to render the countervailing duties equally advantageous to their ships, as that charged by the other na- tion ; about 3,300 per cent, appears to have been the rate at which the British goverrunent, for the encouragement of American shippings allowed her countervailing duty to exceed ours ! ! * * If it should be thought proper to subject the goods brought in American ships to the duties payable generally on goods brought in foreign ships, and also to ^qualixe the BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 129 For various reasons the amount of duties, cliarged by the two countries upon their im- portations respectively, must vary most mate- rially, as to the proportion they ])ear to the tonnage of the goods upon which they are levied ; and, therefore, an equal per centage upon these duties must produce, upon their respective shipping-interests, eifects extremely different ; — effects, only calculated to encoii- W I lonnane-duties, it v>ill be a discoura element to Aniericuii shij)j)inc, and an encouragement to British shi])piug, to tlio extent of the present difference of the duly ; and sucli mea- sures >vill not prevent i!ie same quantity of American pro- duce "being brought into this country, — more will be brought in British slnps, — less in American ships. There is no security, that congress will not be induced lo increase the duties on British and other foreign ships, 1 1 is probable that they will increase these duties as their shij)- ping increase, and British capitals can be easily transported to America for that purpose. Foreigners have no title to complain of what congress have done or may do »► this re- spect; — theymay equalize if they think proper. Congresa haw, in this instance, acted with true political wisdom, and on sound principles of navigation-laws, and they will not be disposed to alter so wise a system. — Opinion of a Cohimittee of the Merchants of Glasgow, submitted to the Committee of the Lords of Council, from Mr. Atchison's Collection of lteport.<}. ■ I 'V ■i- I.. f<:^ . ;. .1/ i!., • I ,1 V I if; 130 IMPORTANCE OF THi ^•fl'^e ^.'.'i increase the American shippings and in an equal ratio discourage and sacri/icc ours : — The Americans will, therefore, no do'ibt, ea- gerly embrace a priuciple so much calculated to promote their interests. To regulate this important duty, according to the strictest principles of equitable recipro- city, and agreeably to our own interest, we ought to ascertain, (according to the rule laid down in No. 4, in the Appendix,) the precise amount, per ton, of the duty charged by Ame- rica, and then charge what would amount to an equal proportion of the freight. It is, therefore, of the first importance, to ascertain the exact amount, per ton, imposed by the government of the United States. To acquire the necessary information upon this point, let the tonnage of the goods export- ed thitlier be ascertained, which might he done, either from the information of the ex- porters, as to the relative proportions which the value and tonnage of each article or species of goods, of which our exports consist, bear to each other, or, which would be a surer and a much less objectionable method, — by having pr^ phi ifigj ana ours :— )Mbt, ea- ikulated rtance, to imposed es. ion upon ds export- might be of the ex- Ions which or species nsist, bear urer and a by having BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 131 I the tonnage, by which freights are paid, of all goods exported, entered at the custom-house. The amount of the American countervailing duty, per ton, being thus ascertained, we ought then to charge ours, either by the ton, or, as heretofore, by a per centage upon the duties, (but, with this great, important, and equitable, difference,) regulating that per centage so as to produce a proportion to the freight exactly corresponding with that charged by America, — no matter whether such per centage were ten or whether it were several thousand per cont. upon the other duties. It is to be hoped, that the various circum- stances concerning this important sulyect will be minutely investigated and carefully attended to in future. For, it is evident, that although we have hitherto, in our commercial treaties and other regulations, respecting our trade with America, stipulated and provided con- cerning countervailing duties, and have talked of laying this, that, and the other, per centage upon some other per centage, in addition to these countervailing duties, — all speciously pretended for the encouragement of our ship- ping — yet, nevertheless, we have, in the blind- k2 4 i ill'' I:' !*!l ■ i) »■■: f i' :rn r' i32 IMPORTANCE OF THE •i^i ■ ( ? est aiifl most iia^norant manner, been, in reality, bartering* our ship-owners interests and legiti- mate privileges for a mere shadow ; — been actually, by our legislative knowledge, expe- rienfc, ??; t.l consummate skill, in financial and com.'h ;rv^ aflairs, securing our shipping-inte- rest, b^ a c*h "^tervailing duty of 18^. per ton upon timber, which is one of the bulkiest arti- cles which we import, (being no less than about the sixtieth part of the freight,) and submitting to the American government's imposition of a countervailing duty of nearly the whole amount of the freight in favour of their shipping; — thus, catching at the shadow whilst they enjoy the substance. Our countervailing duty was known to exist, or appeared only as an embellishment to an act of parliament, — by the prominent feature it forms in a compilation of our custom-house-duties, — or, by the arithmetical exercise it gives our eus- lom-house-clerks ; 1 )ut,.the A merican alien-duties were most feelingly proved to exist by their ope- ration ; and, indeed, so effectually did they ope- rate, that not a pack ageof goods w as ever shipped from this country in a British ship, whilst an American vessel was to be found to receive itf nUlTISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 133 reality, I Ifcgiti- j — been , expe- :ial and ng-inte- per ton est arti- m about bmitting ion of a ! amount ; — thus, njoy the to exist, o an act it forms hities, — our €us- n-duties leir ope- hey ope- ' shipped vhilst ail ceive itf It is impossible, with any degree of accuracy, lo conipuie the amount of British shipping which onr government have sacrificed l>y the enormous and incredii)le advantages allowed to America, over British ships, in respect to these countervailing duties, — X'3 to 22^/. — a preference of 3,300 per cent.; and yet an equality of these charges is what the Av ■■:■ ricans, unreasonable as they were, would ! \vc never objected to: or, as a committee < ' U'^ merchants of Glasgow observed upon the sub- ject, in a communication to a committee lue privy council, that " Foreigners," and of course we amongst others, ** had no right to complain of what congress have charged, or may charge, in this respect, — they may equalize if they think proper. " Congi'ess have, in this instance^ acted xvith true political wisdom^ and on sound principles of navigation laws."* Considering the attention which America has shewn to her shipping-interest, and how nuich she has scrutinized every parll of our conduct, in all our commercial concerns, which in any way directly or indirectly affected I ii * See Note to page 129. ', u I H ' ; f »if I -^ ? IV ■': ] ■■•M-l ?i I mi^ s' ! 134 IMPORTANCE OF THE her interests, — would she have allowed such a difference to have existed against her shi[)s? Undoubtedly she would not! Her conduct, hitherto, is sufficient to convince us that she would have immediately met any extra charge of ours, in this respect, with a corresponding amount of duties. No government, perhaps our own excepted, would have so long submitted, under similar circumstances, to such depredations upon llie most valuable branch of our commercial esta- blishment. The amount of our shipping thus sacrificed must be very considerable. For the American ships having, by the wisdom of their govern- ment, all the shipments from this country se- cured to them, were thereby enabled to carry their own produce to Great Britain at propor- tionably a cheaper rate. Considering this advantage enjoyed by Ame- rican ships, — that our shipping laboured under the disadvantage of the high price which they cost, — the heavy expense at which they wen navigated, — and unaided by an adequate alien duty, it was no wonder that ours were almost entirely excluded from any participation, in I 'M m DRITISH AMKRICAN COLONIES. 135 'I 3(1 such il sr sbi[>H? conduct, that she •a charge ^sponding excepted, er similar upon the rcial esta- sacrificed American ir govern- untry se- d to carry at propor- i by Ame- ired under ,vhich they they were uate alieib ere ahnost iDation, in I either the export or import trade with Ame- rica. From the view tak(Mi of this im|)ortant sub- ject it is obvious, that, as an inherent right of regulating tlie commercial intercourse between its own subjects and foreigners, every nation has also the right, upon the innnutable princi- ple of equity and justice and the laws and customs of nations, as universally acknowled- ged, to impose such countervailing duties as it may deem expedient. Consequently, no nation, which may be the object of such duties, has cause to complain^ having it also in her power to counteract the duties imposed by any particular state by counterpoising them zviih others equalli/ beneficial to its own shipping. The right, therefore, remains undisputed; and, with respect to the expediency of exer^ cising it, it is obvious, that, to this country, whose imports exceeds its exports, the higher the countervailing duties imposed by foreigners in favour of their own ships are, the more advanta- geous^ therefore, to British ships, considering that an equal charge in favour of ours would ope- rate effectually in securing the carriage of our '/• T i , ■*1 :il 1 i - i t i ■s 1 . 1 ( { i \- >>,' r I 1? li i:)(i IMPOHTANC r. OK THF, iiii|H»rts, as ihnrs would in tli«' <>iirriiiu;(; ol our rxporls, — \vr slioiild, lln'n«(bn\ hr llir ;;jiiii< TN, ill |»r()|)<»rtion as our imports «'xrfMMl- f'cl our cxporls. til uvsr duties so — rt hii;! •h 1 sncii Ion liners cMiar<;r( I as to srcurc* tlio <'arrini;« .1 of all llwir imports IVoiii us— so miicli llic mon; in our tavonr! as, an tMpial amount oi duty, wliich \\v should, as a matter of (•ours<\ rliarf;r (wn'r uo not obstinately l»lind to our own in- lorrsl as lu retoforr) would as rerlainly secure to us the earriaj;!' of tlu' whoh; of our imports from them. 'I'his favourahle opportunity has heen atVord od us hv Anieriea — she ehai*i::ed a countervail- inj; duty of such an amount, thai, had we raised ours to an e«pud pro|)or!ion of the frei^hl, it would have soeuvcd to us the car- riage of every ton of goods which wo imported from thai comitry ; — she at'lually, thereby, otrered us the carriage of her ex|)orls to tiiii; country, lieing about 150,000 tons per annum, in exchange for the carriage of our exports to her j)orts, txiiig only, perhaps, about 30,000 tons, U 11 fortunately, however, for Britisli mer- chants and British ship-owners, our legislators, from some iuiac(^ouii table motives, diaregankd v\ I'.inTISH AMKHICAN COLON IRS. 1:17 our .s/ti/>pif/ii-intcrcsf, utid, with tln'ir m.vm«/ fo//- tlcsccnsion and gcucrnsili/ towanla /tmcriai, \vV Iwr nijoy llu; (;ari*iiii;e of both ! 1 .♦. I !.' U lif I ^ . ;1 OK THK rNKQllAMTY OK Till: AMOUNT OF THE nUTIKS CIlARCir.l) UPON THi: LUMBKR WHICH WE IMPORT IN C.KNICRAL. 'rhr * ohjrct of the custotii-hoiisrMliitios ihari^fd upon t!i(* fonijijfii produce whicli we import, is, in general, llio Ciinds wliich thc^y rurnisli : with u few exceptions, at least, such as exorbitant duties intended as prohibitions; and couniervailini? duties, either for the protec- tio!i and encouragement of our slii[)j)in;^, or for the encouragement of our owr> colonies. An e(|uality of the duties upon our imports from foreinn countries (that is to say, from countries orher than our own colonies) is, there- fore, both as far as relates to impartiality to tile foreij^n nations furnishinj^ the articles* * See Note to page 128. j . Ki : I ^ -U i' I \4- I .' , I if: 1 1 13a IMPORTANCE OF THE anti (),(!• own iul( iTst in \\\v rcvniue, in- (lisp('iisjil)lv nrccssary. — The only clifrerrncr, >vhi(li {)iii»ht lo })(, allowed to exist in llicsc duties, should l)e onlv an additional eliamc upon \\u) produce! of countries not in amity Avilli ns, and in some trifling instances in re- sp<>ct to articles of which a variety of cjuulilies are indispensahly necessary. No variety in the quality of any species ot tind)er, however, is necessary ; tln^ best <(uality of every j)articular kiiul being I'd for every purpose to which an inferior sort could he ;jp- plied. As the cost of all foreign tjnd>er con sists almost wholly in freight and other charges in transpo;tation, and duties, a reduction of duty on account of quality nnist, therefore, h<^ the most impolitic sacrilice of our revenue, and cannot be viewed in any other light than a premiuu. paid to enable the people wlio arc unfortunate enough to be the proprietors of a bad quabiy to vend their inferior stuff* in this^ country, and also to keep up a successful coni- petiMon with those who iniport the most supe- rior tindier. We have, howev(n% for some time past, been in the habit of charging different rates of duties oil it («j i!i| RKiriSH AMKKK'AN COLONIES. 139 upon llic limlx'i* wliich wo import from foroiiLijii roiuilrics. Tlio (lisliiiclioiis luivr hovm ])rinci- pally in f'nvoiir ot" Americji and Denmark; tlio very two nations, which, of all others, have prac- tised th(3 « reatest deceit towards us, — two na- tions, who stand nnparalleled in respect to the lengths lliey have lately gone to vilify and de- fame, in tfie most wicked and groundless man- ner, our character as a nation. The grounds upon which our American ad- vocates have founded their claims for this pri- vilege to the United States are, the inferiority of the timber* and its distance from our mar- ket, and consequent liability to high freight ; and tlie reason for charging a reduced rate of duties upon Norway timber was also its infe- rior quality, — reasons the most absurd, in favour of whatever nation they may have l>een urged ; but, with respect to America and Den- I K ) J H lit I, I V * By takiui; notice of the prices currenJ at Liverpool, and otiier ports where American timber was regularly imported, it will be found that American timlx-r, both oak and pine, (except pitch pine,) sold at considerably lower j)rices than either European or Quebec tind)er. 140 IMPOR'IANCE OP THK M ,■ .■ ( ;> ' 'I '.'it mark in particular, they are altogetlier unac- countable. These governments may urge, as a plea to secure this privilege, that the same rate of duty being charged upon their timber, as upon Russian, Prussian, and other European tim- ber, would not leave a sufficient amount to pay freight, and would, therefore, amount to a pro- hibition, — so it may, and so is many an honest, worthy Englishman absolutely prohibited from riding upon the king's high-way, iVom the ex- pense of a horse being beyond his reach. — It is not our business to take notice of the distance at wliich the foreign timber, which we import, is from our market, nor of what quality it is, with respect to the equality of the duties to which it is liable; considering that we can have an abundant supply, without making any abate- ment of duty upon the timber of any particular foreign country. Had a scarcity of supplies been either expe- rienced or reasonably apprehended, the dutir*; in general might have been lowered ; but, as there has never been any want or even scarcity, except in some trifling instances, arising prin- cipally out of our destructive licensing system. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 141 r iinac- rate oi ls iii)on an lim- t to pay J a pro- honest, ed from the ex- 1.— It is (listanop nport, is s, with which it ave an V abate- irticidar er expe- (Intirs but, as carcity, ig prin- system, i there was no occasion for this expedient. In- deed it is clearly shewn, in the 3d chapter, tliat our American colonies are more than sufficient to supply all our demands for timber of every description. This abatement of duties, there- fore, in favour of Denmark and America, being, to the former, 10^. per load, upon pine or fir, and, to the latter, 18.s. Qd. upon tir, Ibs.Gd. upon oak, and in the like proportion upon all other iteni» of our timber-importations from the United States were mere sacrifices. With respect to the motive which induced this sacrifice, considering that our colonies have always proved themselves capable of fur- nishing supplies infinitely beyond the greatest demand; and, that our ship-owners were suf- fering the greatest distress for want of employ- inent to their ships, it is obvious, that, as there was neither a scarcity of timber nor of ship- ping to carry it, this sacrifice must have pro- ceeded from mere generosity, — and as a bounty granted the Danes and Americans in support of their shipping, to enable them, with an inferior article, to maintain a successful cojnpe- tlon with our own colonists, in the supply of \% II ' 142 IMPOUTANCK OF THE the British market with tiinlier of the most su[)crior quality. i 111 en t J I I • !•• or THE ADMISSION OF ENEMIES I'ROPEFTY BV LICENCE, AND THE 13d GEO. III. Respectinj^ our trade !)y licence, or. .Privy- Coimcil-6jjstem of commerce ! it ii);'.y ?>f oh- served, tluit the British nation owes it > f oni- fnercial greatness and superiority over .dl other nations in this respect, to the T^'cuiu^r pro- perties of the *^ritish constiaUion, w)jich, by the safety it provid .s for private property, aiid by the proijction aiiil acouragement it liolds out to industry, thereby affords coir.mercial facilities and advantages not to be equalled in any other nation. The laws which respect commerce (not orders in council, or laws made for the con- venience of retailing commercial licenses, hut the laws of the land, calculated to give per- manency and security to every species of iner- cantde industry) have been proved, hy expe- V; u # an ne -u ni( ^•l oil ■# J ytr A BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 14.) most :rty by r, Privy- ; it - f OIU- d\\ other li.ar pro- /liicb, by erty, and it holds ir.mercial uallf a in rience, and treasured up in the constitution Tor the protection and encouragement of Irade. These laws (the most important of which are Uiose that respect our shipping) so amply pro- vide for the safety and security of commercial enteri)rise, as to give the fullest scope to the plans and schemes which the enterprising and ingenious may introduce into our mercantile system of economy and industry, notwith- standing that many years, in which peace and war may alternately prevail, may be necessary to bring such undertakings to maturity : whereas, the arbitrary and uncertain measures of the governments of other countries, with few exceptions at least, are such as render pri- vate property insecure, all mercantile pursuits uncertain, and the best-contrived commercial schemes generally unsuccessful. But the Bi - tish constitution scrupulously respecting d protecting private property from every imposi- tion, and so amply providing for the prolenioii and encouragement of every branch of Misi- ness, as to set all our nianufactrtring and com- mercial concerns in motion, supporting each other like the constituent parts of a well-con- structed piece of machinery, thereby ena^'bs ;;■ IS ), I (l^ll^j: fi ■|] 1 1' 1 ■ I M4 fiMfORTANi K or THK IIS, iinlwifhsfaiHlini;" llic prices of lalMMir, and the raw malirial, may Ikmimu'Ii l»ii;lur than in most other Ibroij;!! connlric^s, succrssCnlly U* comv in conipolilion, l)olli with \\\v iorntinenl, — nor IxM'ause we individually excel in industry and ingenuity, that we exceed every other nation in com- ineroe, — Imt, as I have already o])served, be- cause our laws, which resj>ecl our mercantile pursuits, excel thosc^ of all olher countries, being (at least until lately) laws of the land, enacted from the wise deliberation of a par- liiinient representing all classes and interests of the comnnmity, and rendered secure, by the peculiar pro;)erties of our constitution. Notwithstanding the advantages, however, which we have derived from adhering to a per- manent svstem of connnercial laws, we have. IU< IT I SII AMKRIf AN COLON IKS. 145 ^i« laid} shewn ;i most iinJiccoiiiitaMc disposition {,0 strike ont of the t-ood old palli, ciralked ont )>} llie \vis[)end, as rei;'arded America, every law existinj;^ for the re^uhilion of our commercial concerns with foreign nations, and to adopt, in their stead, whatever measures, rules, or regulations, they miglit chooser to adopt. This was, indeed, understood to ha^e bf< ii but \ ^ ^'ip! II ( 4 ■A Mrt TArroUTANci: of Tin: I L. IT 1 MlrrTij)orMnin('Msnn' ; l)ul it set, '.m v\\\m\)n\ A\In<'li Iins mirovlniKifcly \)rv\\ too uuirh copied fl'onj i\rr since Ili;i1 jxriod. Am()np>(, \]\v lirsl procrcdini^s of our Privy C'oniK'il, in \\\r r('i;ulalioM of i>ur romnwrcc nilli tlxr ImiIUmI Slnlrs of Amrri(';\ uiidtr this act, wrrr liis Mnicsiv's orders in connril, of llic 14tli of iMay and (illi of Juno, M\V,], adiuillinii Anuri(^ui pnxhn'c and niaiudaclnrcs into this ronnti'N, at iho same rale of dnlies as was charged upon the pnxhiee and luannfaelurcs of our colonics. Areovdinii- to lhcs(; proela- mations, no countiMvailin^" duly \vas charged in favour of our own shij)s, nor was any cer- tificate required, asusual^ thai the goods were the produce and uianufat'tuves of the United States. Thus did our U\gislature, by lliis act of th(^ 12lh of Mav, 1783, at once set aside and render Uug-^tory (as far as n^gardod the United States) those very h\ws w hich had not only reared, hut were so essi iilial to tlu^ protection of our ship- ping and couiuierce, — pulting the regulation of nil or.r ronuuercial concerns wit.li that coiuilry into the pow-'r of the Privy Council, who, it nill he observ(xl, lo^t no time in exercishig ■ if I iimi>^*% (\ copu' lev lliis il.oftbc into lliis ;is ^vtl^• archives any c^»- Otis Avero . Uiiitrd Id of \\w m\ render Ll Stalos) larod, but our ship- ilation of i couulry |l, who, it exercising -fc^ -# tn^iTtsir AMF.T?if An c;of,ONn:s. 147 llieKe powriN; for, only Iwo days after they Were vested with thiw d;nj»^<'rons nnthf)rity, they aetiiidlyssuMilieed the ujnut hnlwark of our Hhi|v piiii;, e()h)tiiid, Jnid eonininfial, interest to the United .Stales. '^Pn snlisfy this new ^overrniient, oin* nnnisfcrs rcjidily lr;iniph;d nnder f()r)t those hiWH, of whirh Ihe most jioweifid nnlionR npoii the eonlin ? ^ w aI^ ^^%%*^ *5^ 3 ^^^^V '> y >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 873-4503 '%'■ ..^^ €P. y. 130 IMPORTANCE OP THE I r I I 1' ' >^ |i , I ii ,:. been evidently a most unnecessary sacrifice of our own shipping-interest. For, it is obvious, that had the necessary information been ob- tained, it would have been found, that if the produce of the United Slates could not have been dispensed with, in the supplying of our West-Indian colonies, the admission of the produce would have, at any rate, been the full extent to which any relaxation of our naviga- tion-laws would have been necessary in this respect ; for, most assuredly, their ships might have been spared vyithout the most distant risk of inconvenience. Another, and npon general principles, the greatest source of mischief opened to us by the admission of enemies property, arises from the unlimited amount and iiicalculable irreiiiir larities as to the quantity of enemies produce imported by virtue of the act of the 43d Geo. III. cap. 153, which is a canker-worm lodged by our legislature in the great body of our commercial, shipping, apd colonial iriterests, wasting its very vitals, and, if uot removed, will, in tho end, if war continue, iililmately ruin it.* • That in the confident and genora! expectation that the North Americans would not be permitted to carry on their UmnSH AMERICAN COLONIFS. 151 ^rmmm By this act the produce and iiiauufacturts of llie countries with \vhoni ^ve may be at war oxport -trade during their war against Urn country, rousi-^ (lerablc shipments ul'iuanuiaclured guuds have already taiieu place ; and others to a much greater extctit are now pre- paring for Brazil and other places, for the solr purpose of having x:otton-wool in return, wiiich intended ex|>ort of ma- uufactured goods will, ho«vcv«r, now receive a severe check, by the knowledge of the ttfore-nientioued act of parlia- ment, permitting the import of coltou-wool from tlie Uiiited States, by neutral vessels. That many of our manufacturing people will cojiscqut?ntly be throu n gut of e.mploy, mud 4uany o^' vur coiuuvercial meu meet with severe losses. That much of our shipping, whicJi would otlierwisc be beneficially employed in tlie export of our manufactures and the bringing home of considerable quantities of cotton- wool from the Brazils, and from the East and West Indies, will now remain unemployed ; the effects of which are al- ready felt to a very considerable extent, by the fall in price of freight for British shipping to and from the ]irplying, with her cotton-wool and otlier articles, all the European markets, where tiie ports are not blockaded ; to the obvious disa(^- vantage of our manufactures, merchants, and ship-owner^, who would otherwise have the supplying of those markers from hence with our manufactured goods. — Mr, Lyme's l^dte^\ to Lord Castlereas;h. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 153 tained from neutral ports, then let us limit the importation of these to our o>vn ships ; and of such goods as we could not dispense with, i.or obtain tiic necessary quantity from neutral ports ; in such cases only this act could be ju- diciously had recourse to. Timber, for example, is an article of such indispensable necessity, that, wei'e we reduced to a dependence upon our enemies for our sup- plies of it, considering its great bulk and com- paratively small value, we should certainly find ourselves under the necessity of admitting it direct from the ports of our enemies, in neu^ ti'al ships, and, failing thfm, even in those oi our eneuiies. Instead, however, of being under or even liable to this necessity, of late years, our own colonies, even without the least aid from any foreign country whatever, are capable of fur^ nishing us with the most abundant supplies. Cotton, as a raw material of the ye|*y first importance to our manufactures, is also an ar- ticle of indispensable necessity. Were we therefore rendered wholly dependent upon our enemies for this important article, we should, jio doubt, be obliged to secure supplies, either 1 f' -!1 in 4:i If \' V !l I u /' t! ,11 m \ } ,ii.'^ 'V ,1 ■i I;.' 154 IMPORT/iNCE OF THK from neutral ports by our own ships, or, ac- cording to circumstances, even to admit im- portations, under tliis act, by neutral ships, direct from enemies ports. Under existing circumstances, howevrr, not- withstanding that cotton has become an article of the very first consequence to our manufac- tures, this act is altogether unnecessary for the encouragement of its importation. ^ Our own East and West Indian colonies, and the countries in amity with us, such as the Brazils, &c. are capable of amply satisfying all our demands ; at any rate, with such cotton of the United States as could be obtained from the ports of neutrals, taken as prizes, &c. they would afford the most abundant supplies.* * The unfortunate planters in the late Dutch and British colonies, deprived of that clioice of market which the fo reign planters enjoy, arc compelled to send Iheir cottons to this country ; their supplies, whatever they may cost, must be drawn from hence : their poverty puts it out of their power to hold back their crops, however much at times it might be for their interest to do so, and though now loaded with additional freight and insurance consequent upon the American war, they pay the same duty here with the neutral foreigner, who is exempted from all these consequences ; Uierefore, from them, thus depressed and broken down, IIUITIBH AMERICAN COLONIES. 155 The present importation of cotton from the United States, and the preHent and late 'inporta- tions of timber from enemies countries, are, therefore, and have been, unnecessary ; they are, indeed, measures of great hardship and i]i- justice towards our own colonists and ship- owners, and impolitic and ungenerous towards our antient and faithful allies, the Portuguese. Hemp is likewise an article of imperious ne- cessity, for purposes of the first importance. For our supplies of this article we have been thrown on the mercy of their country, yet treated worse than strangers, no change of measures are to be appre- hended. I have, my Lord, next to contemplate the probable results that are to be expected, if the import of American cottons is restricted to British ships from neutral ports. The adop- tion of this measure would be returning to the system of our navigation-laws, and the performance of an act of justice to the JJritish ship-owners. This system, I will venture to assert, ought never to be departed from, but under circum- stanceb of the most urgent pressure and necessity, such as, in the present case, 1 humbly contend do not exist. Our naval greatness and commercial consequence are admitted to be closely connected, ii not depeudcnt upon our adherence to its principles, and that they cannot be departed from, without feeding the resources of the enemy, or the neutral, at our expense.— Mr. Gladstone's Letter to the Board of Trade. A \- *^ M I' > Vi 1 hit \ .,1; il Mv ^in i, i ■ "i i i I A. l5n IMPORTANCE Ol' TITI^. which they have of late experienced, — irregu- larities which have, to an alarniinjGf extent, converted our merchants into adventurers, and our mariners into sniuj2;glers, under the patronage and direction of a British Privv Council ! /* For the sake of one or two articles, how- ever, this sweeping act has been adopted, le- velling all the privileges and ailvantagea which our colonies, and the nations in amity with us, have an undoubted right to enjoy; placing them, in fact, upon a footing with our most inveterate enemies. ' The injury which our North- American pro- vinces — and the greatest of all the many in- juries which our shipping interest have sus- tained from the importations made under this act has been in the importation of timber : — for our shipping has been injured by being de- prived of the carriage of it, which would have • * The connivance of our legal authorities at our own and the ships of foreign nations, trading to our ports by licence under false colours, and the consequent perjury inseparable from such practices, proves this assertion to a demonstration. as BRITISH ..MERICAN COLONIES 15f> i hocn secured to them if brouji^lit from our own colonies ; and our American colonies liaTo been injured both by the irregularity and in- calculable amount of the quantity introduced, as well as in the admission of it upon any terms ; these provinces being capable (as I have clearly shewn in the next chapter) of supplying all our demands fbr that article. It may not be improper here to remark, that the scarcity of specie has been attributed to our licensing system, mereiy for the purpose of shewing, that, although this scarcity had not existed the ruinous tendency of this perni- cious mode of carrying on our commerce, might have been discovered ; and, therefore, that, were an abundant supply of the precious metal again to supply the place of this Scar- city, or, in other words, were Bank-of-Eng- land notes again readily convertible into spe- cie, it would afford no proof that our li- cense-trade was profitable to the country and according to the principies of sound po- licy. "'■ • • ' ••'''''! '*''' '* •' '''*^"' ■•'!■•'■;" . • ■ ■ '^ The scarcitf'of specie, felt by government, pro- ceeds principally from the immense expenditure they have been led into for the very salvation oi P 'it'll ■h M :i: ^ !;{: ^r 160 IMi'ORTANCi: OF THE the country ; Imviiii; been left alone to defend our own independence, and the aniient free- dom of Europe, against the most powerful enemy that ever assailed this or any other country. From this vast and necessary expenditure, therefore, they have experienced, that nations^ like individuals, must necessarily find money scarce in proportion as their means of pur- chasing it are limited ; — that, v/hcn they are not in possession of reat funds, their extraor- dinary anticipations must produce inconve- nience, and be made at considerable disadvan- tages, which must be the case with respect to large sums borrowed for the purpose of sending abroad. : . . Had the revenue of the country been even near- ly sufficient to meet the public expenditure, the present scarcity of specie would not have heidn felt ; for the profits upon our commerce w^ould have more than enabled them to have made all the exports of bullion necessary for their fo- reign expenditure, without producing any iii- convenience. But, considering the enormous sums that government have been imperiously called upon to borrow, for the very salvation HKITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. IGl of the country ; and, purticularly, considering the great proportion whicli our foreign expen- diture bears to the whole, tlie profits of our conunerce were unequal to balance such an cx- liaurstins^ exportation of bullion, so necessarily made, without producing such inconveniences as we have felt. These speculative projects of our Privy Council, (I mean the licensing system car- ried on under the 43d Geo. III. cap. 153,) abstractedly considered, are certainly not cal- culated to produce a scarcity of specie : for, had these adventurous speculation«^ been, upon the whole, proiitable to the country, instead of draining us of our specie, they would, on the contrary, have even contributed to our ability to send specie abroad. This new method of carrying on our trade with foreign parts, how- ever, has been extremely ruinous, and, conse- quently, a drain of specie from this country has been one of the many ruinous effects which it has produced. To go fully into a discussion concerning our licence-trade would of itself form a work of great len»;th : it is not my intention, however, neither is it here necessary, to go into particu- u ♦ ■ r I. I I I 4if '*■ i J- 1 / ■ !' '!»t m '' n fm i fori 762 IMPORTANCE OF THE lars, further than the few a^eneral ol)servalioiis which I hare made couceniinp; its effects upon our American provinces, and the consequent injury which our shipping has sustained. It may be further observed, however, that orders of council may very properly be had recx)urse to in cases of great urA sudden emer- gency. For example, in the instance of those retaliatory measures wisely adopted to meet Buonaparte's Milan decrees, and to thwart the projects craftily contrived by htm, and con- nived at by the United States, for our de- struction : but, in the above instances, orders in council were introduced to suspend and controul those wise and salutary laws of our ancestors, calculated to regulate all our mer- cantile transactions with America, and to have provided amply for every contingency which could have arisen out of such transactions. And, if any new case shouFd have occurred in the conmion course of business, it ought to have been the subject of legislative investiga- tion, and not disposed of in a summary way by the executive branch of our government. BRITISrt AMERICAN COLONIES. t6,1 ' ' ur THE HIGH PRICE OF OUR SHIPS AND THE GREAT EXPENSE AT WHICH THEY ARE NA- VIGATED, COMPARED WITH THE FOREIGN SHIPS WITH WHICH THEY HAVE TO COME IN COMPETITION. With respect to the comparative difference of expense at which our ships and those of America were navigated, previous to the late interruptions which have taken place in our commercial intercourse with that country. No. 4, in the Appendix, is an estimate which shews a disadvantage against us, in this re- spect, of no less than 28s. per ton, upon a six months voyage. Possibly in this estimate the exact value and expense may not be correctly ascertained. It is, however, notorious to every one who is ac- quainted with these affairs, that foreign ships are and have been, for some time past, navi- gated at considerably smaller expense than ours ; and, at the same time, it is more pro- bable that the difference is rather under than over-rated. m2 i^ ;;i(' li ^ ' it ! Jli if II " t'":^ K 104 IMPORTANCE OF THE The high price of onr ships, and the great expense at which they are navigated, are cir- cnnistances which, iji respect to our coawting; and coh)nial trade, are no injury to our ship- owner, — in this respect they only keep pace wirh the price of hahour, and the prices of things in general. But this great expense, as far as it respects our trade with foreign countries, being combined with various other circumstances, is to our shipping- interest ruinous in the extreme :— the ports of onr colonies opened to the Americans ; — the partiality shewn to foreigners, in respect to the duties charged upon timber; — the enor- mous advantages allowed the Americans in countervailing duties, and our licensing sys- tem ; — these, with the high price of our ships, are calculated to sweep our foreign shipping from the ocean. Supposing the maintenance of our labouring class of society cost five times more than Ihe maintenance of the like class amongst the Itussians, yet, if the Englishmen's wages arf commensurate with the high price of their liting', the disparity of prices does not render them less comfortably situated, compared with IS at] of of of BKITiSH AMERICAN COLONIES. 165 the Russians. But how would such English- Jiieu he circumstanced, were myriads of Rus- sians to come into this country, and come in competition with them for wages; the Russians enjoying, at the same time, the unreasonable advantage of having their subsistence funiished to them at the same low rate they paid for it hi their native country ? There is no doubt wages would be reduced, and the Englishmen, in the midst of plenty, might perish for want of bread. Yet this case and that of our shipping-interest are so exactly parallel, that, as certainly as our labouring class would sufier under such cir- cumstances, in precisely the same proportion is our shipping as unreasonably and unjustly suffering, and w ill continue to suflfer as long as the cause which has been above-assigned re- mains unremoved, or at least until its baneful effects are rendered less injurious, by a careml attention to other circumstances. The difference of the value in the ships, of the sailors w ages, of the price of provisions, of the amount of insurance, &c. and, in fact, of every item composing the expense of navi- gating the ships of the respective countries oudit to be taken into consideration, in W iJ ■M '1 IM IMPORTANCE OF THE :< il 1 1 ft Of J hyp J, Iril urn' m 'i j1 i r Ji 1 i k: , ,1. Vii , ! I laying on the duties upon all importations from foreign countries ; and, if the difference should then appear against us, as in No. 5, an ad- ditional duty, precisely equal to that difference, should be charged upon all importations made in foreign ships ; and then, over and above that difference, a countervailing duty in favour of our own shipping. . Had this equitable principle been declared and acted upon in our late commercial intercourse with the United States, the additional duty upon the produce of that country, imported in Ame- rican ships, over and above tiiat charged upon what was imported jn our own vessels, instead of being 1^. 7 id per ton upon timber, would have been, in the first place, 28^. (see No. 5.) and, iu next place, a countervailing duty, equal to what the Americans charged, which, accord- ing to No. 4, in the Appendix, was jOS : 10, being, together, ^4:18 per ton, instead of the pitiful sum of Ij. 7 id. I This rule, for regulating the duties for the protection of our shipping-interest, equally ap- plies to all foreign countries as well as to Ame- rica ; and our shipping nmst actually either still continue to suffer in every competition, or tliat JiKITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 167 disadvantage must be attended to aod, either directly or indirectly, counterpoised. Possibly some difficulty might be ex|)e- rienced in charging a direct extra tax upon importations made in foreign vessels, to balance the high price o€ our ships, by the o()position of the governments of foreign countries, as it is very unlikely that they would have occasion to claim from us any such privilege, and may, therefore, be the less inclined to acknowledge the principle, however just in itself. If such obstacles should prove insurmount- able, which I admit they might, perhaps we ought, therefore, to be upon the alert to re- move all other disabilities, particularly those above-mentioned; in the doing of which no foreign governments would have any right to interfere. From the undue advantages allowed the Americans, as appears from this view taken of our transactions with that government, par- ticularly in the relaxation of our navigation- laws in favour of the United States, by opening the ports of our colonies to their ships ; — in the admission of their produce into the united king- donij at the same rate of duties as that of our h > * V. n. ! i ' I :.^. ^:^ii IP •' inches square, and from 30 to 40 feet loii!^. Jiisomefew instances, however, a few pieces mjiy bo found to square even from 16 to 30 inches ; and some sticks, perphaps, to run the length of CO feet. The quality of Quebec white oak is con- sidered superior to any which we inq)ort from any other part of America, or even from Euroj)e. This may be proved by inspecting the prices current at those ports, wherein all the variety of qualities we import are to be found. Before oak can be exported from Canada, it must be inspected by a person, aj)pointed by government, for that purpose, and stamped as * Canadian oak, from whatever part of the St. Lawrence it is shipped, is generally termed Quebec oals. n V [IV ll M, M BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 171 incrcliaiitable. That which is rejected as iin- merchaiitable is not allowed to be exported. The faults for which it is considen^d uii- jiierchaiitable are, its being red oak, under 20 feet long, — under 12 inches upon the side, — having unsound knots, — being crooked or ill- squared, — and its bef g ringed, which last is the most general and the greatest of all faults. Ringed timber is that whicii has begun to rot or decay in the heart. When this disease has but just commenced, it requires a good judge to discover the defect, which, in a cir- cular manner, appears, by shewing a small shade of difference in the colour. From this variety of the quality of oak in the Quebec market, a pix>portionate variety of prices are produced ; the unsound, perhaps, selling at 6^. per foot, and the best at 2^. 6d, Hence is the difference of the quality and cha- racter of Quebec-built ships most satisfactorily accounted for ; being built of timber which differ 400 per cent, in price ; their quality must of necessity differ materially, and, therefore, no wonder that opinions the most opposite, con- cerning their durability, may be formed by those unacquainted with this circumstance. hi ■i,. ' J. .. i|>. ■ I J'.* M II 172 IMPORTANCK OF THE The quality of Quebec oak, compared willi Eu^lish and Aniericati oak,* may be judged of by the pric*,* it bears in the London and Liverpool markets. In London its price is generally a medium between that of the l>est and that of the worst quality of English oak, — maintaining a price about 20 to 30 per cent, higher than the worst, and about the like pro- portion under the best; and, in Liverpool, it will be found to have commanded, for a inim- ber of years past, a price about 20 per cent, higher than that imported from America. The quantity of oak timber exported from Quebec, LOADS. In 1804, was 20^0 In 180G - - - 5452 In 1810 --- 22,532 Pine-timber. — There are two kinds of pine or fir timber exported from Britisli North- America, viz. RED and yellow. There is * The oak-timber imported from the United States is ge- nerally termed American oak, in contradistinction to that imported from Quebec. ni th BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 17.1 none of what is properly terinod white pine exported Ironi these provinces. At the port of Qnebec, as well as in the other ports of tiieSt. Lawrence, pine-timber, as well as oak, njnst be inspected, and found nier*- rhantable before it can be exported. Neither red nor yellow pine is merchantable under 12 inches on the side, nor under 20 feet lonp^. Yellow pine runs from 14 to 22 inches on I he side, and, in some instances, even to 30, and from 30 to 45 feet in length : it may be had, however, 50 to 60 feet lona^, and upwards. Tt is oeiiemlly perfectly straia^ht, and remark- ably free from knots. Indeed, many sticks, and even whole lots, are to be found without even a single knot ; this is to be accounted for by the extraordinary length of the timber of the Canadian forests in general. When the trees ai'e felled, they must be greatly reduced in length, that they may be the more conve- niently hauled to the rivers which are to float them to market ; a large proportion of the top part, with all the knots, is consequently cut off. Red pine was little known in Canada be- ' r 4 i ' M, it W»i' f II «'■'; '• 'In 1 I 174 iMPORTANtE OF t«lf fore the year lfl08, when there was a small <|uaritiry oxporteil. In 180f), the quantity nhipped was very considerable; indeed, as- 8oon as it was particularly inf|uired after, it was furnished in abundance. Quebec and otiier British American red j)ine, for strength and durability, is equal to any which we import from any other country whatever. The quantity of pine-timber exported from Quebec, LOADS < In 1804 was 1,012 In 1806 2,761 In 1810 69,271 ;i u. t it i' •.'■ .! ■ ■ Masts. — Government have been for some years past principally supplied with masts from our American provinces. These colonies furnish mast of the largest dimensions, even to 35 inches. The proportionate dimensions of masts are three feet in length to every inch ia diameter, at the partners, with the addition of nine feet. A thirty 35-mch mast is, therefore^ 1 14 feet long, which is about the greatest length wanted in the Royal Navy. Yellow-pine-^ masts, of the largest dimensions; are to be h&d T . BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 175 m the greatest abundance; but of rod pine lliere are few to be found above 20 or *21 inches. . , , . The number of masts and bowsprits exported from Quebec, > PIECES. In 1804 was 115 In 180(> 354 In 1810 7,055 Deals. — The deals (or i>ine-plank, as Ibey are tecknically termed in Canada) which are exported from that country, run generally from 2 to 3| inches thick, 7 to 11 broad, and 12 feet long. They are not reckoned by any particular standard, but are sold by the thou- sand superficial feet, of their resi>ective thick- nesses, reckoning 1200 to the thousand. Th<=!re is no branch of the Canadian timbei:- Irade more capable of improvement than this ; nor would any other improvement which could be introduced, be attended with more beneficial effects both to the British and Canadians. It has, indeed, within these last few years, been greatly improved. A few years back tlie deal« and boards which were brought to market con- ■ i ' tk * m'Y ''Aw ^r \ ■I , ,-' I' I • ^ I ■ '4 mA"iv Ml i> I i ' i 176 IMPORTANCE OF THE skied of tlio mobt irrej^ular dimensions, both in length, breadth^ and thickness. What are now produced, however, are principally reduced to some particular standard, pjenerally to 12 feet loll^• and either to 2, 2f, or 3 inches thick, and fnuii 7 to n inches in breadth, but principally 7, f), or 11. It is to Mr. Usborne, late of Quebec, that the pubKc are principally in- debted for this improvement in the manufacture of deals in Canada. There yet remains a great deal to be done, however, in the improvement of this l»ranch of the Canadian timber-trade, both as regards the manufacture or preparation of the articie, and as respects an increase in the quan- tity exported. — The British government have it in their powsr, and ought to secure, a demand for deals in Canada; and the Canadian go- vernment have it in their power, and ought to encourage their preparation throughout the country, generally. * ^ • • ' ; It is of importance to observe, that, although throughout the most populous part of Lower Cunnda, particularly upon the banks of the 8t. liinvrence, !)elow Montreal, that no trees lit for being converted into masts or square tiui}>er, now remain; yet, nevertheless, upon BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 177 those wood-hincls which necessarily yet re- main, such as those parts which are unfit for agricultural purposes, parts reserved for fuel, &c. there are to be found abundance of trees, fit for deals, of various lengths. Indeed, by adequate projection and encouragement, a sufficient quantity might be furnished, not only for the supply of Great Britain and her West- Indian settlements, but also for all Europe. The chief support of the American shipping has been the exportation of deals, boards, and staves, which have been of late principally ob- tained from those parts of the United States, which have been for many years cleared of all the trees fit for masts or square timber. The consideration of this circumstance shews the importance of endeavouring to discover the cause why such a valuable source of wealth is so much neglected in the British North-Ame- rican provinces. The quantity of deals and boards expo\ied from Quebec, ' I ' ' : PIECES. In 1804 was 69,067 In 1806 66,166 In 1810 312,432 n- I V ji] \ 7 I r 1 1 <:? 'H 'l : :( 1 -t- 4 (:i 178 IMPORTANCE OF THE Staves.— The exports of slaves are princi- pally from Canada, from ^vllence the most abundant supplies may be obtained. Quebec staves form a very important item of the ex- ports of Canadian biniber. As they constitute brol<;en stowage to ships, which take in cargoes of masts and timber in the ports of the St. Lau- rence, at the full rate of freight, — whereas, from most other ports, the broken stowage of ships, timber-load, affords comparatively but a mere trifle of freight, — renders them of vast import- ance to the ship-owner, and they consequently a^ftbrd great encouragement to the exportation of lumber in general. i c'*>; The encouragement of the exportation of staves from Canada is, indeed, in many I'espeets, of great importance ; they are not only a va- luable article for the assortment of otlier car- goes, but cons^titute an immense tonnage for the exclusive employment of ships in the car- riage of them alone. . ^ < Their quality is excellent, commanding in the London market, at the present moment, prices equal to those imported from Dantzic. Staves is an article of indispensable necessity to the motl^er-country ; to obtain supplies, ,ii BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 179 tlierefore, from her own colonies, must be a very desirable object ; and, consequently, the abundant quantity, and excellent quality, of those to be obtained from Quebec, must be, to her, considerations of great importance. The quantity of staves exported from Que- bee, PIECES. In 1804 was 1,061,195 In 1806 1,803,234 In 1810 3,887,306 The most important articles of British North- American produce and manufactures being lumber and agricultural produce, I shall there- fore endeavour to shew, that these colonies are capable of supplying the most extensive demand •which the mother country and all the other colo- nies, which she possesses, can afford for timber; — that, if their resources are encouraged tojiozv in their proper channel, they are adequate to supply our IFest-Indian settlements with flour, provi- sions, 8$c, ; — and that it only requires a little well-directed attention to render them capable of supplying the mother-country xvith hemp and Hax. % I'.V .'■( ■ ' !; X t! 180 IMPORTANCE OP THE. . X r, i .Ui.l ». ..» i: 4 If ;■ Y « ■' ii ,v THE BRITISH NORTH-AMERICAN COLONIES CA- PABLE OF SUPPLYING THE MOTHER-COUNTRY AND. HER OTHER COLONIES WITH TIMBER. As to how far the British provinces are ca- pable of supplying the mother-country and her West-Indian possessions with lumber, it may be observed, that no person in any degree ac- quainted with these parts would dispute the adequacy of the British-American forests to such supplies. If, therefore, they do not supply these mar- kets, it must be for one of the following reasons, viz. either that there is not a sufficient popu- lation to prepare and bring the produce to market, or that other markets, coming into competition with these colonies, obtain a pre- ference. With respect to the adequacy of the popula- tion to furnish so large a quantity, it may be fairly stated, that this very population has been hitherto completely adequate to supply the market to the utmost extent which has been liRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 181 hitherto called for. There may, indeed, have been a scurcily of a few particular articles in Home solitary iiistaTJces; but, in everyone of these, such partial Hciircity has been uniforiuly produced by a sudden demand, occasioned by some unexpected continj^ency. In the greatest demand for lumber which has ever occurred, where a reasonable time ^or cutting doWn, preparing, and transporting, the articles, has been allowed, the market has been uniformly supplied to a commensurate extent. For, since the additional duty has been im- posed upon timber from the United States, and the supplies from the north of Europe became limited, on account of the war, the exportalions from these provinces have experienced such an immense increase as is at least sufficient to convince us, that the supplies hitherto obtained from them afford no criterion whatever from which we could fairly judge of the extent to which they are capable of furnishing these ar- ticles: and, moreover, at this immensely-aug- mented demand has been most abundantly answered, at moderate prices, it is equally de- monstrable that the quantity hitherto obtained '!' 'II .1. '4 , |!i i'' , fi a: in* *', i I, I! •' i If ^1 n' f^ 4 I. 1 '^i w " * !j •' « I : IS r i: r l'^^ 182 IMPORTANCE OF THE from these colonies will not, in the smallest degree, prove them inadequate to supply the mother-country, and her West-Indian islands also, with all the lumber they require. By inspecting No. 2, in the Appendix, it will be found that the exports of lumber from the British provinces, in 1806, was 95,975 loads, and in 1810, 311,114, of which 160,932 loads were exported from Quebec, being about five times the quantity exported from that port in 1806; yet, notwithstanding this vast increase which took place, no scarcity was upon the whole experienced. For, although there might have been a short supply of some particular articles, there were more of other articles than could be taken off; and this superabundant quantity, perhaps, amounted to ten times that of the deficiency. Notwithstanding the immense shipments which were made from Quebec in 1808, 1809, and 1810, as will be found m the list of exports from that port, as stated in No. 1, there still remained a considerable number of articles unshipped in the fall of the latter year. And in that fall, although the prospect of a greater BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS. 183 demand the ensuing season was very evident, timber was contracted for at even lower prices than those at which contracts were made in the preceding year. Indeed, one of the most convincing and de- cisive proofs of the abundant resources of lumber which the Canadas possess is, that excepting the article of oak -timber, prices ac- tually continued declining from 1807 to 1810, notwithstanding the enormous increase which had continued to take place in the quan- tity exported, (as has been already stated). The price at which staves and pine-timber (which articles constitute the principal bulk of the exports of lumber) sold, during the summer, and which were contracted for in the fall of 1810, was not much above half the price which prevailed during the sum- mer of 1807. Another most important circumstance that may be noticed, concerning the abundant re- sources of lumber which these colonies possess, is, that in three or four years the increase in the exports of that article, from the port of Quebec alone, was equal to the whole supply of our West-Indian possessions. For, by in- :jJi '; \ \ r'T l«« ■J mrfi M I' i: I. I' Im n •i ii i; ! I I'll W tt tit! 184 IMPORTANCE OF THE spectiug Nos. 2 and 6, in the Appendix, it will be found that the increase in the exports of that article, from the port of Quebec, from the year 1806 to 1810, was 127,998 loads, whilst the annual supply of our West-Indian settle- ments was only about 117,740 loads. And it is of material importance to remark, that, not- withstanding this increase, so far from the ex- tent of the supplies '.vhich may be obtained from the Canadas being ascertained, that the market was equally well supplied with every species of that article, and the capability of a still farther increase apparently greater than it was four or five years before, when there was but about one-fifth part of the quantity ex- ported. . , . . ,, ,,; \ Indeed, it is evident, as the pernicious laws and regulations which affected the exportation of lumber from British America ceased to ope- rate, the exports of that a,rticle experienced a proportionable increase. i ^ These important and now-established facts shew the genuineness of the opinions of those, who, a considerable time back, advocated the capability of these provinces to f'lrnish our West-Indian possessions with their supplies of I ' ! BRITISH AMFHTCAN COLONIES. 185 lumber. For, hut a few vears airo, tlios^ who asserted that the Britiwfi provin(;es possessed this oapa!)iiity, were literally lan<2,hed at. SucK opinions beinia: held up to ridicule by mer- chants, whose profits were arising out of mea- sures at variance with the interests of their country, were then ridiculed or disregarded, and, therefore, the arguments used to prove that the pernicious consequences of those iui- polilic commercial treaties, which we had en- tered into with other coimtries, and that most mistaken policy by which the commercial in- tercourse between our West-Indian islands and the United States was regulated, were the causes which prevented the British provinces from supplying our West-Indian possessions with lumber, were considered as futile and ridiculous. The advocates for the American interest had only to urge in reply, what these colonies, thus crippled and discouraged, had hitherto done ; and this bare assertion was considered, by the superficial politician of the day, a sufficient refutation of this now-indisputable and sub- stantiated fact. For, in the short period of three or four years, the increase of the tx- fe ft ■'<■ 1 tfc •it ■\.,: l'^] (I 186 IMPORTANCE OF THE '• i •' 1 '-f ml portation of liiinher, from \he Canadjis alone, was equal to the whole doiuand of our West-ludian islaiicls ; and that the oak- tiniber, exporled in 1810, from Qiichec only, •was more than e(|nal to half the (jnnnlity annually used in the whole (»f our i^overnment dock-yards, are fa^ts so broadly fouiuh-d, that not all the sophistry of those, who, eitlxn* from sinister motives or erroneous hypotheses, es- pouse the cause of the Ameriean ji:ov< riiment, nor all the eloouence of tlie advociiles of the United States in the British parliament can, in the remotest degree, controvert. For, althouj^h our own legislators, misled by the advice and information of interested in- dividuals, continued ignorant of this valuable source of national wealth, and, in that igno- rance, persisted i?^. damming up its current with the very rubbish which they removed to clear a commercial channel for our bitterest enemies, yet the operation of time and circumstances have brought about events which have exhibit- ed to full view the vast importance to this trade ; and, ill the short space of four years, raised the freights earned by our ships, in the exportation of the produce cf these provinces, from less BRITISH AMRKICAN COLONIKS. 187 lliau ^1,000,000 to nearly ^ •2,rjOO,UOO * Our enemies, by their inwalialjle avarice, eii- <:oura;^«'(l by that tanieness with wliieh we sub- mitted to their artiiices, — by their inordinate ambition, engendered ])y British pusilanimity, — and by their unmerited envy and hatred, blasting their own mahgnant j)ur|)oses, have thus re- vealed to us tins most important fart. The Americans, by their embargo, with- held all those supplies with which they were in the habit of furnishint^ us ; and Buonaparte, by the rigors of what he termed his continen- tal system, prevented our supplies from the north of Europe: and, what is a still more important consideration, the vigorous measures of this oppressive and too-successful tyrant, prevented, at least in a considerable degree, the operation of tlie baneful effects of our ruinous licensing system, and thereby produced a most uncommonly large demand upon Ca- nada for lumber ; — a demand, however, which, notwithstanding its having been so large and unexpected, was as abundantly answered as * See No. 8, in the Appendix. 4V UW: fl • i':* '■■ ' ^1 i: , !■ ^ V. 1. 188 IMPORTANCE OF THE ■ 'ill Ml] i n II t 1 >i ■'I '- 1^ that which was experienced three or four years preceding, when no more than one-tiftli part of the quantity was rj<|uire(l. It was then made clearly manifest, that the quantity of hnnlier, which had hitherto been shipped from the British colonies, hore but a very small proportion to the quantity which these provinces were capable of furnishing. Neither is it yet known to what extent they could furnish this article for exportation, for all which has hitherto been required has been obtained. Government have never found any difficulty in obtaining abundant supplies of all the timber they required ; such as square oak, masts, spars, red and white square pine, deals, staves, &c. ; ' For, up to the present moment, notwith- standing the immense increase in the demand for lumber of every description, which has lately been experienced, they have always found contractors ready to engage to furnish, at reasonable prices, tlie largest quantities which they have ever advertised for ; — this is the best proof of the abundance which may be obtained. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 189 Any partinl scarcities, in the supply of mer- chants orders, which may have occasionally happened, are solely to be attributed to the demand havini; been occasional and unex- pected ; and because the orders were not sent in time to have the articles contracted for from the people who fell the timber in the woods and float, it to the shipping-ports ; whereas, the extent of the quantity wanted, by government, being known the year before it is required for shipping, has been uniformly furnished in the most ample abundance. The amount of the quantity which may be sufficient to supply the demand for merchants, however, is always, in some measure, uncertain ; and, consequently, as the anticipated demand, is over or under-rate(f, the scarcity or abundance will be proportion- ably commensurate. Indeed, the greatest irre- gularity and uncertainty of demand, and, con- sequently, a proportionate fluctuation of prices has prevailed for a number of years past. The alternation of peace or war in the rorth of Europe has had no inconsiderable influ- ence in this respect ; but the most incalculable irregularities and inconveniencies, experienced by these provinces, in the demand for lumber, I* ' ll u fll i •J j; 1 '^ '. mil i u r ^1! ■■I V 111 ^ -i' , ii' I. ^^'M; in f 1 1 ^' i ilf ill 'm ■ I.': J .. H'' inM 190 IMPORTANCE OF THE as well as other articles, have arisen from the importations received into Great Britain by licences : and these irrecrularities were the sole cause of the partial scarcities, whicli have, in some solitary instances, appeared in these co- lonies. ■ Now, however, as an interposition of provi- dence has divulged the secret, and convinced lis, (I had almost said against onr inclination,) that we were in the possession of an abundant source of the most valuable species of national wealth, of which we continued ignorant, and has clearly shewn us, that it was only our own impolitic laws, and the improper arrangement of our commercial concerns by government, that prevented our receiving the most abundant supplies from these colonies, let us not again check the growing prosperity of these valuable colonies by regulations similarly pernicious. Considering the very small proportion that the tonnage of the manufactures which we export, bears to our imports or tonnage em- ployed in foreign trade; and that this pro- portion is rendered still smaller by the quantity exported in foreign bottoms, it will appear that H' ' BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 191 the support of onr shippinc^ must, and does, depend upon the carriage of our imports. ' For it will be found that, although the amount of the manufactured goods which we export, is, in point of value, enormously great, yet, in point of bulk, Ihey arc comparatively small; and, con- sequently, the amount of their tonnage, when compared with the extent of the tonnage of our merchant-shipping, is comparatively trifling. The advantages which the country in general derives from the exportation of our manufac- tures are great in proportion to the amount of their value; but the advantages resulting to our shipping-interest, in particular, is but of trifling importance in proportion to the comparative smallness of I heir tonnage. It, therefore, necessarily follows, that, by far the greater proportion of our ships clearing out, upon foreign voyages, are obliged to sail in ballast ; and, therefore, the competition for Ihe outward freights is such, that goods are frecjueutly carried out at such a low rate, that, in many instances, the ships that sail in ballast are more successful than those which take goods on freight ; the principal dependence is consequently upon the homeward freiglit. w if J 1.02 TMPonTANrr, of Titr u ■ u^ i- a k It follows, of roiirsc, tlint llu* \\m)h\ Imlky nr- tioirs, or siirh nrliclcvs us nM|nin' \\w i;n'nlrst quiiiitily of hinuu;;.', nmsi uocrsHnrily l><' of the ^i*ays proportionahly the same freight as a ton of any of Ihe most vahiahle articles which we import, il matters not to the ship- 1 ; iA hi nUITISH AMi:UICAN COLONICS. li)3 t»\vin'r, whcllirr his ,s)ii|) carrii^s pine; tiiiilx'1% wuilli only, Jit sliip|»in^, 2().s\ a Ion, or iiicli^o woiili X700 a Ion ;— wlu'llier nluM-arriiiS cotl- lisli (Voni Novvfonndland, or {jjold-flnst from III! roasl. of ACrica, since conipoJilion uiust of lUTcssily Inin^ (lie rrr'i;jfht of the one, coinpara- livdy, as low as I In; fnnght of llio oIIht. Jl is obvious, indeed, lliat llie hnlkicr the article iJie more il becomes a nalional object to secure the freij^ht of it : and, Iherefore, it is ecpially desirable id secure the carriage of the limber we iiuporl, as it is important to protect and en(;oura^e our merchanl-shij)pipg, — that sliippiiij; v.hi<;h supplies our navy with men, and forms the very basis of that com- merce l)y which alone we have become f^reat, by which we are (;nal)led to support the great e\|>('nse lliat securcis our dignity and indepen- dence; nay, perhaps, our very existence as a nation. Consequently, the bent of all such of our commercial regulations as in any way con- cern tlie importation of timber into t^iis country ought to be carefully directed, so as to effect this important purpose. And in no way would it be more easily accomplished than by a proper attention being paid to the inexhaustible sup« ■If I I '*■ •lil ti, 1 'V ■i •| '.f il I ..( i.i I "i\ I' ' ,. fi O 13" ,1 mm .flfl f IN :i fi ill' H -;» ' . ' ii ^ fv; I' '■■■ ■■• il'V-. mm v.: ! ir)4 IiMPORTANCK OF THE plies of this article, which may be obtained from our American provinces : the value, there- fore, of these colonies to the mother-country is great in proportion as her sliipping is im- portant to her. When we reflect that, agreeably to the opi nion which generally prevailed, a considerable number of intelligent persons have, even up to the period of the occurrences which have stated, respecting the late increase in the quan- tity of lumber exported from the British Ame- rican provinces, insisted that these colonies were not capable of supplying our West-Indian islands with that article. We cannot help con- cluding that their opinions, regarding the other productions of these provinces, may be also founded upon principles equally erroneous, and, therefore, their conclusions as false as they have evidently been regarding lumber. For^ that these provinces are capable of supplying our West-Indian settlements with that article \s a fact now established beyond all doubt; and, if this capability is not put in requisition, it is the fanlt of the British government. Of all our improvements in connnerce, whe- ther in opening new channels or improving the old, the improvement of the trade of our own URITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 195 colonies is the most important, considering that in this we enjoy, without rivalship, the undivided benefit resulting from it. And, in no instance, does this maxim more aptly apply than in our trade and intercourse with our American provinces, especially in the exporta- tion of timber from these colonies, which, as has before been observed, is not only most ad- vantageous and encouraging to the improve- ment of our commerce in general, but of the most material consequence to our shipping-in- terest in j)articular. We have, however, in every article of im- portance, but particularly in lumber, neglected, discouraged, and sacriliced, the interests of these colonies to the United States, almost up to the present period : the birth of American independence, which ought to have brought and secured to these provinces a multiplicity of privileges and advantages, was a death-blow to their prosperity. Indeed, the Americans enjoyed benefits from this country, to the prej udice both of our co- lonies and of our shipping-interest, of such a nature, as, I believe, no nation ever enjoyed from another before, namely, ey expe- :ountries, nth lum- he great- colonists I against isad van- ports, privi- hey and to sub- f Ame- lotwith- ovinces ')( a far BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 197 better quality, whilst our own ships, otherwise unemployed and rotting in port, could have transported it to the British market. They had likewise, as has been already fully explained, the supplies of our West-In- dian plantations so completely secured to them, that of 117,740 loads annually imported into these colonies, they had an opportunity af- forded them, by the impolicy of our govern- ment, of furnishing 113,600; whilst the dis- advantages, which our own provinces laboured under, were such as prevented their obtaining any larger share of this profitable trade than about 3439 loads. And, moreover, they had not only the furnishing of the supplies of these islands thus far secured to their market, but the car- riage of the goods to their ships ; so that out of £ 1,766,639, which appears to be about the amount of the freight of the principal articles of luhiber, flour, grain, provisions, &c. annu- ally imported into these settlements, their ships earned ^1,477,301, whilst British ship-owners were suffering the greatest distress, for want of employment for their shipping. The most convincing proof of the sacrifice of our interests, in respect to the neglected resources of lumber, v .ich these pro- 1 I I < r I J) J w <: I' r. n 1,1 V .1: I i >■' i :* ■U:i':^^ 198 IMPORTANCE OF THE i! ^ 1 ■J '-.,(■ h: r § lis m fit !«,■ 1^ M vinces possess, (according to what 1 have already stated,) will be found in the com- paraijve araoinit of their exports of this ar- ticle, which, for six or seven years previous to the interruption of our commercial dealings with America, was nearly stationary ; but, upon an interruption of this commercial inter- course taking place, when a fair opportunity was afforded them, immediately increased to an enormous extent; — the Canadas having, in the space of three or four years, increased their exports of lumber Ifive-fold ; and the other two provinces having, in the same short period, nearly doubled theirs : — the exports of timber from these provinces were thereby, in four years, raised from 95,975 loads to 311,114; adding no less than ^'1,721,040 to the freights earned by British shipping. If these colonies, from the transient occur- rences of these four years, produced the vast addition to the freights of our ships in the car- riage of our timber, with still as much, or even more, apparent capability of increase as they appeared to possess a few years before, when they were shackled and c.ooouraged, — what might not the operation of measures calcula- ted to encourage the exportation of that article ■ m ii\ nUITIsn AMERICAN C'OLOMKS. IDJ> havo pro, GRAIN, PROVI- SIONS, &C, One of the most-important objects, which would be answered by the exportation of flour, &c. from these colonies, is the supply of our West-Indian possessions. I A)- n i |i;i ( ;■ ,( h \ ;;; II ■' ''t\ 'Hi f, I .^1 !:: I \ .-:f •*' I' ' i'i :(■ i I" . I ! ft' ■ "! i 1 f -•"(' ■ , t ■1 ! 1 1 ■ ! I; v,v i i;;|.: I i )^'s. fill t „ d'' Hi 1 200 IMPORTANCE OF THE The adequacy of these provinces to such supplies is a subject which has often been dis- cussed in the British parliament, and by the parties innnicdiately interested. But, although these discussions have certainly brought forth much important information, I may safely say, they have never produced a single measure cal- culated to bring about this desirable end. However, that these provinces, o)\ even the Canadas alone, are capable of supplying our JVest- Indian settlements with flour, c^t. is a proposition which I have no doubt I shall be able to demonstrate in the clearest manner. Of the supplies of flour, bread, and provi- sions, hitherto obtained from our Nortb-Ame- rican colonies, the principal j)art has been fur- nished by the Canadas : and, moreover, as these two provinces, from the superior excel- lence of their soil, the immensity \i{ their terri- torial extent, and other local advantages, possess considerably the most extensive and improve- able resources, not only with respect to fur- nishing these, but every other species of agri- cultural produce, it is to these provinces, therefore, that we must principally look for these important articles. I shall, consequently, "^ . . BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 201 confine my observations respecting •<\'^r' ult iial prodnce more particularly to the Canadas. By looking into No. 0, in the Appendix, it appears that 1,300,000 bushels of wheat and other grain are equal to the annual supply of our West-Indian settlements with flour, meal, bread, and grain. The amount of these arti- cles, hitherto exported from the Canadas, no doubt, falls short of this demand, beinc^ only, upon an average of eight years, equal to about one-fourth of the requisite quantity, as appears by No. 2, in the Appendix : this cicunistance, however, and my present proposition, namely, that the British provinces, or, even the Cana- das alone, are capable of yielding these sup- plies, can be satisfactorily accounted for. Indeed, the causes which have hitherto dis- couraged the exportation of flour and lumber, as well as every other kind of produce, from our American possessions, have been so many, and operated so powerfully, (as may be ob- served by what has been already stated,) as to constitute matter of surprise, that the exports from these settlements should have been so considerable. The demand upon these provinces for flour \. If ' \ % 1 \^ • } :. .1, I i ii\ l li I. '202 IMPORTANCF. OF THK •/r i ■.:-l"' ! ii Sil i 'ii I and luinher Imviiift- bren of late |[;really in- neast'd, and this inrreastMl dftniand lor InnihcT hv'\\\^ alMnuianlly aiiswcnd, vvliilnt the exports of wlitat and ilour ex|)erien(!rd but little in- crease, does not by any means disprovi* my jHoposilion ; for, altlion^li llie di>;advanta;j^es whicli our colonies lalioured under mav, in many respects, have alike hindcMed the expor- tation of these articles, yet, in others, tlieir eflects were very diflcrent in tlieir operation. For example, the Canadian forests afford inji^ an inexhaustible supply of lund)er, and there beinj*; a sufiicieiit number of hands to be ob- tained to cut it down and float it to ujarket, the large! t cpiantity which has or would be wanted to complete the supplies, of which I Lave stated these provinces to be capable of furnislnng, has, therefore, been, and will con- tinue to be, furnished in abundance. For, ex- clusive of the lumber which the forests of the British provinces produce, that of all the im- inenise tract of the United States territory lying upon Lake Chaiiiplain, the j^iouth banks of the St. Laurence and its tributary streams, must also either be shipped from the ports of the St. Laurence, or remain an incumbrance to the ih^ imiTISH AMF.RICAN COLONIES. 203 ground : — ||m3 wukrs upon uiiicli it grows must float it to market,— to the ports of tlic »St. Lau- rence, or it i« not worth the cut^in^: down. — If there is no demand lor it in ports of the llrilish |>rovinces, it must remain j^rowingj in the forest, or be destroyed and consumed to make way for agricultural improvements. — An;! ^i; w ■ BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 205 more difficult it will be to divert it from its wont- ed course. And it may be observed, that the current of commerce, arising out of the agricul- tural produce of this extensive and fertile coun- try, cannot, like that arising from the exporta- tion of the wood of the forest, be checked in the fountain, but has and will continue to find another course, until our government shall open that which is most congenial to it. The ports of the St. Laurence are certainly the most convenient for the commerce of all that vast tract of country, lying upon the banks of that noble river ; and the chain of lakes which it unites, as well that upon the American side as that upon the Canadian. In- deed, nothing short of such confused and vac- cillating measures as have hitherto marked the disposition of all our commercial concerns in that quarter of the world, will be sufficient to prevent the trade of this part of America from flowing in tliis its most natural channel. A well-directed line of policy, respecting these colonies, would, no doubt, add to the Canadian exports the whole produce of this important portion of the United States ; the . i! V ' fl !l ' .J, ;i- ^Mi IM, I ::r ii i ;' ^r i i' it \ \ % ill H. ■ if ' . #• fi- lls I rJ {Hi ' I'M '■ 1' 206 IMPORTANCE OF THE rapid settlement, fertility, and improvement of which, and its contiguity with the navigable waters and shipping ports of the St. Laurence, have lately so greatly excited the jealousy and roused the attention of the American govern- ment. The exportation of wheat and flour from Ca- nada, viewed in all its bearings, is a subject which exhibits a variety of circumstances that altogether form the most comple'?, anomaly, which we could conceive it possible to be pro- duced. It is a notorious fact, that flour and provi- sions have been carried from the very banks of the St. Laurence to the ports of the United States, a distance of many hundred miles, by various tedious and expensive means of con- veyance, by land-carriage, by canals, by rivers, &c. at an immense expense and loss of time ; and, notwithstanding the goods were for the supply of our West-Indian islands, commanded a better price in the ports of the United States, even after all this loss of time and accumulated expense, than they r^ould have brought in the port of Montreal, where, compared with the iM ■' BRITISH AMKRICAN COLONIES. 207 American ports, the produce might have been carried in a much sliorter time and at a much smaller expense. The cauf^e of this transportation was very obvious. Insuperable obstacles were tlirown in the way of produce being shipped from the Canadas to our West-Indian settlements; and, consequently, the prices of wheat and flour were regulated, in these provinces, by the de- mand for wheat for the British market. And, it is no less extraordinary than trne, that, whilst tliese very occurrences wore taking place, the question, whether or not, or how far, our American provinces were capable of supplying our West-Indian possessions with American produce, was, at various times, gravely discussed in the British parliament, — evidence examined, with all the usual formali- ties ; and the opinions, which appear to have been the result of these inquiries, were, that, although these provinces might, at some future day, do much, yet they were not now capable of supplying the British settlements in the West Indies, — no, not even with lumber, nor with ships to carry it from the United States: and, therefore, as heretofore, we continued to ') j< '■ 1 i is i .■ir' I .( 1 5 i : f. At I, \ i i 5 •• I .1, 1 1^ III l^i 1 • 2()a IMPORTANCE 01* THR apply to the Americans for these supplien, and fi^eiHTons' , to the exchision of our own ships, employed theirs to carry the ;;oods to market. Exchisive of the iiilbrmation winch might have been derived from this unacconntable transportation of flour from the neighbourhood of tlie St. Laurence, to tlie ports of the United States, a practice which had prevailed in Ca- nadian commerce ever since the American independence, was also suflicient of itself to indicate the existence of sonie insurmountable obstacle to the shipment of Canadian flour to our West-Indian plantations, namely, the ship- ment of wheat from Canada to Great Britain, and flour from Great Britain to the West In- dies, being tantamount to sliding wheat from Canada to Great Britain to be manufactured for the West-Indian market, whilst it could have been manufactured to as great perfection in the Canadas as in Great Britain, and sent from Quebec to the West Indies at compara- tively as low a freight and by a shorter pas- sage. It, therefore, appears, that, between mer- chants commissions, shipping charges, freight, insurance, out-lay of money, &c. not less than i h iiit ^^ lies, and /ii sliips, riarket. :h might omitable • ourhood 5 United d in Ca- .inericaii itself to ountabU^ i flour to ;he ship- Britain, Vest Iii- at from 'actured t could fectioii nd sent )iupara- er pas- mer- frcight, ss than nUITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 209 G(L the was _ er bushel* upc tually sacrificed. It may, therefore, be asked, why not manu- facture the wheat in Canada, and ship the flonr to the West Indies?— One would be ready to conclude, that, if this was not done, it must have been for want of mills to manufacture it, ships to carry it, or merchants to carry on the trade. With regard both to a want of ships for this trade, or of mercliants to embark into it, no such inconvenience existed, nor, indeed, could possibly be supposed to exist : neither could there be said to be a want of mills. Although, for some years after the indepen- dence of the United States, the mills to be found in the country might not have been suflicient to convert the whole wheat which was pro- duced into flour ; yet, as there were many ■ L. » ' I I -II I I I I ' " . ' ' ' " " ' ' " ' " ' ' £ s. d * Commission upon wheat, at 7s. Orf. per bushel 4f Shipping charges, &c 3 Freight 2 7[ L^iijiling and warehousiiig in Great Britain, •\ interest, commission, waste, &c. and )• 1 3 merciiants profit ^ ifO 4 « ■I' ,1- I t ! ; h '.> ■ M •ill' i^ .-. t. I'. 210 IMPORTANCE OP THE :i!iM 1 i V t i!- I uf.'l V! mills subsequently erected, upon a large scale luul accordiiii^- to the niost-iuiproved principles, there is no doubt but tliat had such encourage- ment and protection been j^iven to the exporta- tion ol' flour fron) Canada to the West Indies, as to have secured a steady demand, the mills \vould have been found adequate to manufac- ture all the wheat raised in the country. Neither can it be supposed that either capi- lal or enterprise was wanting. Indeed, where- cver channels have been opened to British commerce, it has invariably happeited, that every branch has been so eagerly grasped at as to prove, that, instead of either of these re- quisites being wanting, there generally appears a superabundance of both. ;» If, however, the shipment of Canadian pro- duce to the West Indies can be said to haTe ever been a channel openetl to British com- merce, it may very properly be observed, that those who opened it left it in such an untimsh^d and slovenly state, that it only proved a trap to ensnare the British merchant, and deter him from coming in competition with the Ameri- cans, in the supplying of our West-Indian set- tlements. URITISH AMKRTCAN COLONIES. 211 scale liples, irage- porta- ndies, ; mills nufac- r capi- where- i^ritish I, that I at as 5se re- ppears ,n pro- |o haTe com- i, that Inish^d a trap ler him .meri- Lii set- It may not be improper to inrpiire wlio sus- tains this loss of 4s. (5d. per hnshcl npon wheat, incurred in tlie transportation of that article from Canada to Great Kritain, and flotir from Great Britain to the West Indies, as already staled. Respecting this inquiry, it may be observed, that these islands appear to have been supplied with flour from Great Britain, the Britisli pro- vinces, and the United States ; and that a large portion of the surplus produce of Canadian wheat, and also a considerable proportion of the flour, exported from the United States, were regularly shipped to Great Britain ; and that the prices of flour, both in the British provinces and the United States, must have, therefore, been regulated by the price in Great Britain, and, consequently, comparatively much lower. It is obvious, therefore, that our West- In- dian colonists could have been supplied with flour at a much lower rate from either of tlveso markets than from the mother-coimtry ; and it consequently follows, tliat had either the Britisli provinces or the United States been allowed to have afforded these supplies in a regular manner. the prices in the West Indies would liave ror- p 2 i m 'i' I I ; I it .v • I ^!l \ ii |iii^ii f I I' i it I ! I tMi»()RTANrr, or Tin: ns|>on(lr»l willi \\\v prices in IIhsc marki'ls, ;uloriatiou of [>roduce from tlu^ British provinces was a trade which the irrejvnlar imports from the States, conpled with th(^ }>ecnliarili(^s of Ihe climate, and the local sitnation of these provinces, rendered ex- tremely sjiecnlative and nncertain. — (ireat Bri- tain, from her extensive and rej^nlar inlercoui'se with th(» West Indies in other conunodities, had, therefor<\ compared with the American provinces, a better oj^mrlnnity of secnring- a tair averap:e of that market for iier exports of tlonr and provisions. ' , Let us supiiose the price of flour in Great Britain, either at any i)articular period, or, upon an avera2;e, before any of the late restrictions were laid upon our interconrse with America, to •I 1' UIMTISH AMI.UirAN ( OI.ON I KS. til3 I have hern .£'.'$ piT Imirrl : \\w pnccs, holli in (Jaiiadii and llic I lulled Slabs, lu'iiii; "••eiurally iT^idalL'd l)y ilir iiriccs in (ircal I'lrilain, and, as tlin <'.\|)(>nH(; of hansporlation iVoni cillici' oonnlry to Knjuland woidd Im; ahont X ^ •'•♦' price of iloxn' m lliosn inaikctH nuiHl have con- sequently been X'-i l^'' •>anel. Here, thero ibre, appears the niyntery — Avheat jc-onliiniin^ to be sent IVoni Canada to (ireat IJrilain, and ilour as re;;nhirly hihi|)ped from (ireal Hrilain to the West-Indian niarkel, which was open lo llie Canadians upon Ihe same lernis as to (h<; British — and the expenstMjl'Iransporlation from each country, comparalively, about tlie same. Nothing" can account for this, as 1 have already explained, but the j»reat irre,mdarities, \\hi

  • 1 i 1 1 i 1 ; ■'1 i; 1 Hi t- I •^•^U \[ii: mm [. Hi Jl U ill 'Hi! r ^214 IMPORTANCli; OF THE It is evident that t)»e imi)ortatioii of flour into the West Indies, from Great Britain, must have been I'onnd upon the whole to have an- swered llie purpose of the importer, as may be concluded from the quantity imported, as stated in No. (j, in the Appendix ; it must have one lin.ie with another paid the expense of ira.ispoitation. This expense, which we may compute at 20^, per barrel, as already ob- served, added to the price in Great Bri- tain, estimated at jCf), the price in the West Indies musi have, therefore, averaged £4 per baiTel, Now, in the second place, as this average price of flour in Great Britain would not have att'orded more than X 2 P^i* barrel in Canada; the expense of transporlation being* 20a\; and ihe expense of transportation, from Canada to the AV est-Indies, being* even comparatively less tlian from Great Britain, it is obvious that, imless some great impediment had interrupted this intercourse, that either the inhabitants of our West-Indian settlements would have had flour from Canada at ^3 per barrel instead of £-i; or, that the Canadians w^ould have received £y3 per barrel for their flour, in- BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIFS 2l.'> Stead of £2 : or, at any rate this 20,?. per bar- rel must have been shared between them. As it therefore appears, from the very consi- derable and regular importation of flour and bread into the West Indies from Great Britain, that the price of flour must have, one time with another, amidst the fluctuations to which it was rendered liable, been so high as to have afford- ed the importer the expense of transportation, it is evident, therefore, that this loss of 20,?. per barrel upon flour, being equal to about 4,?. 6d per bushel upon wheat, must have fallen upon the Canadian farmer. — And who profitted by this enormous loss, oc- casioned by our legislative tolerations, interfe- rences, or arrangements, concerning this inter- course between our West-Indian settlements and the United Stales? The Americans only. The ports of these islands, whenever any scar- city took place, were opened to American pro- duce, which was admitted free of duty or any sort of restraint, and again shut when supplies were obtained ; — their opening and shutting thus becoming each a consequence of the other.* 't? ii •; Mil ■^ hi ri; * Sec Page 93 to VG, \, : { >i M il M I r 1 b • '4 I' li-^^- K I i; < I . i , u^^ 'v 5 ' V>i« m I 216 IMPORTANCE OF THE Instead, therefore, of beiiit^ as originally in- tended, to encourage and defend the interests of Great Btilain and her colonies, our naviga- tion-laws were absolutely perverted to serve the Americans, and sacrifice the interests of the British colonist and the British merchant, for w host; exclusive interest these laws were origi- nally framed. Had the smj p^^ing of our West-Indian islands he^n so regulated, that the West-Indian market would have afforded a regular and steady demand for flour in Canada, this 4^. 6d. per bushel would have at once operated in sti- mulating the Canadian farmer to greater exer- tions in the growth of wheat, and also as a pre- mium to encourage the transport of the pro- duce of that part of the United States which borders upon Canada to the St. Laurence. ' ' It may be further remarked respecting the surplus-produce of wheat, &c. raised in Cana- da, as stated in Nos. 1 ?.nd 6, in the Appendix, and the annual consumption of the manufac- tures from that article in tl^e West Indies, that this surplus appears to bear but a small propor- tion to the annual consumption of these islands. Nothing, however, could be more absurd and n BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 217 uureasoiiable than to draw the conclusion of inadequacy from this circumstance, the re- sources and capabilities of these provinces never having been put to the test. Surely no person in any degree acquaint- ed with the subject could argue that their resources were ever yet fairly put to the test, or were ever directed to, or in any manner encouraged to assume this channel, whilst such positive and manifest proofs as have been addu- ced exist, that Canadian flour, as well as other Canadian produce, is positively excluded the West-Indian market. Whilst wheat continues to be shipped from Canada to Great Britain, and flour from Great Britain to the West Indies, their inadequacy to such supply is inadmissi- ble, as a reason why these provinces do not supply their sister colonies with flour. Had the parliamentary inquiries, which have been made, concerning the adequacy of the Canadas to yield these supplies, been directed to the circumstance of this unaccountable transportation, the true causes might have been discovered and removed, and the Canadas rendered, not only adequate to these supplies at this day, but also capable of furnishing the = ' ^f:> if I a; \ » i i H I.) ■Jf ^J:« \\ V .1 1 '. '4 :1 tl8 IMPORTANCE OF THE l\ I i^i:' . !■ 3 '! : \ li j;< )r- ■w,. y .|i mother-country with a considerable r^uantity. — Our legislators would have discovered that the fluctuation of prices, and uncertainty of de- mand, to which the West-Indian market was rendered liable, and the risks and disappoint- ments to which the Canadians were subjected in their attempts to supply these islands with flour, were the effects of their own impolitic measures, and the true causes which prevented these provinces from furnishing our West- Indian possessions with an abundant supply. I'he effectual supply of our West-Indian islands with flour irom the Canadas must ne- cessarily be connected with several subordinate arrangements, the encouragement and protec- tion of which are essential in producing that effect, and also, to the existence of such a trade after it may have assumed that channel. — Ar- rangements must have been entered into by a variety of classes of people in these provinces, for carrying into effect the transportation of wheat and flour from the United States to the ports of the St. Laurence ; — for erecting mills for the manufacture of such imports of wheat ; — for establishing ships in the trade for the regu- lar transportation of produce to the West Indies. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 2ia But neither of these arrangements could have been made upon any reasonable grounds of success, \vhiist so much uncertainty existed with regard to the West-Indian market. Having pointed out the causes which have prevented the Canadas from suppiyii^ our West-Indian colonists with flour, &c. and clearly shewn, that the smallness of the quan- tity of that article hitherto exported from these provinces is no proof of their being inadequate to furnish these islands with the most abundant supplies, I shall now endeavour to prove, that they may in a very short period be rendered capable of yielding more tlian sufficient to sa- tisfy the greatest demand which our settlements in the West Indies require. This capability consists, in the first place, in the supplies which might be drawn from the United-States side of the St. Laurence; secondly, in tlie further exten- sion of agriculture upon the vast tracts of fer- tile land, still unsettled in these provinces ; and thirdly, in the agricultural improvements of which the land now imder cultivation is capable. AVitU respect to tlie first position, viz. the supplies to be drawn from the United-States ftide of the St. Laurence, it may be observed, •I I ill 1-^ i' H\ % :l * i \ ] I: ''\ h 220 IMPOKTANC K, OK THI'i ihnt nltli<)iiu;1i tliis is not, the most iinpniianl sniirrr, yd il is \\\o oiu' tVoni wIhmico llu' iiioMt iiiund, for tbo (MH'onrai2;omonl of this I ratio, Avonld 1)0 absolut(^ly to probii>it iionr from bo- ing' imporl( (1 from the UnitiMJ Slat< s, into onr "\V<^st-lndian sollliMnents ; or otbor>vis(\ at all tin^os to allow tho injportation of sncb tlonr, bnt in onr own ships only, and liabh^ to a dnty rqnal to tho comparalivo ditVenMioo of froi^ht anct insnranoo, as mi|nht be fonnd o|)oratin£;' aji'ainst tlie nnportor of prodnoo, into onr W est- Indian islands from Canada, as relates to im- ports from the ports of the United States, (pro- vided sneh a ditl'erenee did exisi,) with a small addition over and above that ditterence, as a i protecting dnty. il ' nRTTISH AMKRICAN COLOVIRS. 221 It limy uppeni* to fumw pi^rNOiiN, iiiia(?fjUHiiit- v\\ with many minute rirrnniHtancrH rrlatint^ io lliis Iradts iiiai llu; imjto.silioii of hiicIi a duty mij^flit, orrnHioii exorliilant [H'iccH in our Wcist- Iiidiaii scltlrmrnls: bu' rumparcd willi tlio piicM'H whi
  • xportations being also unrestricted from the ports of tlie United States, otherwise than their carriage being con- liued to British ships, and liable to the protec.'l- ing duties just uientioned, it is very unlikely that the diflerence could exceed 7.v. (id. per barrel; whereas, it appears, the inhabitants of our West-Indian possessions must have paid at the rate of 20.9. per barrel higher for their flour, than tlu' proportionate price at which the J, r; I' If H iM' I W I ■t. ii, I '.I r ill { i I.. J \' \ i i . 222 IMPORTANCE OF THE Canadians sold their wheat for the British market. Undoubtedly such measures would soon have the effect of furnishing the ports of the St. Laurence, with considerably larj»*er supplies than the demand of our West-Indian colonies would require. Whatever, therefore, the price of flour may have been previous to such an efTecl: being pro- duced, it is obvious, that it must from that pe- riod correspond with and be ruled by the prices in the British market. Thus, a short time would produce a most important advantage to the inhabitants of our West-Indian colonies, considering that the price of flour in these set- tlements and Great Britain must then asaiearly correspond as does the expenses of transport- ation from Canada to these markets respective- ly ; thereby bringing about a reduction of the price to these West-Indian colonists, equal to the amount of the expense of the transportation of flour from Great Britain to the West Indies. Secondly, with respect to the further exten- sion of agriculture, upon the vast tracts of fer- tile land still unsettled in these provinces, it may bft remarked, that such an extension may BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 223 take place, either by an increase of the propor- tionate quantity which tlie cultivated land bears to the population, — by an increase of the popu- lation, or by both. ' * t ' The increase of the proportionate quantity of cultivated land to the population may be promoted by the encouragement of the export* atioA of timber and ashes; and also, by a steady demand and encourau'.ng prices for agricultural produce. The vast tracts of fertile land to be possess- ed at a low rate, and situate in the most healthy and agreeable climate, proves highly encourag- ing to the increase of the population, both by multiplication and emigration : indeed, land is to be obtained upon such easy terms, that the poorest man, if he is but industrious, may soon acquire a freehold in tliese fertile provinces. Emigrations into Canada are principally from the mother-country and the United States. Nothing, however, can be said hitherto to have encouraged emigration to Canada, except the superiority of the soil. But, so powerfully has this circumstance operated, that the emigration which has prevailed for several years past from the United States has been very considerable •;t n i -I iT ■ K' ■; f:.' 1 .1 .' •i !■ 1 1, t I;, mi 224 IMPORTANCE OF THK indeed. Such are the causes, and such have been the effects, that, (except in that part of the Uriiied States bordering upon the Canadas,) throughout ahnost the whole extent of the eastern states, but particularly New England, one may ride for days together with- out seeing a spot of what could be properly termed good land, — in many parts, hundreds of miles witliout seeing a spot worth cultivating, — in many districts, the generality of the peo- ple poorly clothed and miserably lodged, and here and there the farms deserted, and the farm- houses tumbling down ; and, upon inquiring concerning them, it will be found their desertion was occasioned by emigration eithek to Canada or to those parts of the United States which lie upon the banks of the St. Laurence. But, upon the other hand, one may travel in the Canadas, especially above Quebec, for days together, without meeting with J»".y considera- ble interruption of the most superior soil; — one may, for hundreds of miles, pass through uninterrupted tracts of land of the first rate quality, and all over the country find the inha- bitants comfortably lodged, well clothed, and in every respect enjoying abundance. It there- ", '-N I!' have part 1 the extent New with- operly eds of vating, e pco- 3, and 3 farm- miring sertion anada ich lie avel in ir days idera- oil ; — irougli t rale I inha- i, and there- BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 225 fore appears that several of the most important circumstances contribute materially to encou- rage the settlement of the waste-lands in these provinces. Thirdly, as to the agricultural improve- ments of vtrhich the land now under cultivation is capable, it may be observed, that it is cer- tainly a most important object, and ought, above all other improvements, to be attended to. It would not only directly augment the exports from these colonies, but also afford considerable facility to various other most important ad- vantages which they possess. With respect to the smallness of the crops which are here produced, from the very superior quality of the soil, and the industry of the inhabitants, being circumstances which have already been noticed, it appears clear that con- siderable improvements in agriculture might be easily effected.* * The author in making the necessary observations, and in collecting such information as he conceived necessary, in wri- ting a statistical account of the Canadas, which he has nearly ready for publication, necessarily devoted the most particular attention to the quality of the soil and the state of agriculture. Hehas.therefore,froiiithe superior quality and unimproved state Q ii'' \i P \- I. », '\ ■ \i \ . 8?i- I •Hi m ^ 1 1 226 IMPORTANCE OF THE tl .J.jl '^ n I. • »■■ i I ■•' '«tWi '' If an increase of four bushels an acre were jfiroduced, still the crops would be but very (Small ; only about 16 or 17 bushels per acre.* Such an increase, however, would yield 1,953,852 busJiek; which, with the 330,483 now anUi i!ly .ported, upon an average, would make 2,2h-L,>i i bushels, being nearty equal to double liie ar ^mt of the supplies of our West-Indian plantations.f - ' ' •' '' Estimating also the small proportion which the land under grain bears to the amount of cleared land, an increase of the quan- of the land, and from his experience anrf knowledge of the" prac- tice of husbandry, in some of the best cultivated districts of the mother-country, deemed it his duty to write a treatise, shew- ing those agricultural improvements, which arc most pecu- liarly adapted to these provinces, with the most appropriate systems of cropping, rules of farm-management, &c. This, with some observations upon the best means of overcoming the prejudices, which, amongst the Canadians, (as well as amongst the people of any other country wherein improve- ments, or any change of system, is unknown,) must be found to exist against any deviation from their old-established practice, are intended to be submitted to the Board of Agri- culture, in order to an application being made to the board of trade and plantations, in behalf of our interest in the im- provement of these extensive and valuable colonies. * See page 58. t See No. C, in the Appendix. OJ Mill * . « BRITI8H AMERICAN COLONIES. 2:27 were very icre* yield ;0,483 vvould equal of otir > • *■ ' fs. ? t which amount quan- hcprac- icls of the iae, sh€W- lost pecu- jpropriate This, ^ercomiog [as well as improve- be found stablished d of Agri- the board in the im- » idix. tity under grain (if accompanied with nn improvement of agriculture in general) might certainly be made to great advantage. Such an increase to the extent of 100,000 acres, being only an addition of about one-fifth to the quantity computed to be now under grain, and about the fiftieth part of the cleared land in the Canadas,* and also supposing it to produce only sixteen bushels per acre, would yiek' 1,600,000 bushels; which, with the abo ^j 2,284,335, would make the annual exp' . s 3,884,335 bushels. An improvement to this extent might .i- tainly be brought about witliout much diffi- culty, provided the proper means were used to effect so desirable an object. The circumstances favourable to the improve- ment of agriculture in Canada are an excellent soil, a favourable climate, a steady demand for produce, and that activity, industry, and emu- lation, which exist amongst the inhabitants ; whilst the only circumstances, which militate against such improvements are, the ignorance of the Canadian cultivators of the modern ^ See page 56. q2 i.i 1 *. ■!, I'. ^ii; ji 'r-i r I* h i-.i Ji y • i^ •I ' ' I, '■^i r I.. i Vf w H ! 22a IMt»ORTANCE OP THE 1 1 improvennents in agriculture and their attach- ment to old-established practices. For nothing is more obvious than that industry and emula- tion may exist under the greatest ignorance and the most obstinate tenacity of the old beaten path, as well as under the most successful discoveries to which experiment can lead. Under such circumstances, it is evident that improvements judiciously introduced must be attended with the most certain success. The difliculty of eradicating the prejudices of the Canadian farmers, by introducing agri- cultural improvements, would not be greater than what would be experienced in the intro- duction of any improvement amongst the far- mers, or any other class of people, in any other country. A proof that the people are not altogether averse to new experiments, and that they are disposed to follow up such practices as they may find profitable, is to be found in the circum- stance of the introduction of the growth of bar- ley, and the cultivation of peas, already noticed. The growth of barley was unknown in Ca- nada until a few years back, when a gentle- man, in the prosecution of some speculations V ■.I M- BRITISH AMERICAN COLONITS. 229 ach- hing lula- : and jaten idsful ident must • idices agri- reater intro- e far- any : gethcr ey are IS they rcum- of bar- oticed. in Ca- gentle- lation* in that article, introduced it, and the example was almost instantaneously followed. The principal difficulty experienced in such introductions is in finding individuals amongst the older residents disposed to try the experi- ment ; but this is a difficulty very far from being insurmountable. When once any new dis- covery is made, and the ihiprovement adopted by only one such individual, and is found profit- able, there is no doubt but that it will be ge- nerally adopted. For, whatever the neighbours of the person who first adopted the improve- ment may have formerly thought of such projects, or whatever antipathy they may have entertained against them, the temp- tation of profit and the fear of being consi" dered less ingenious than a neighbour, who excelled them in nothing else, aqd whom, to esteem, in any respect, superior to them- selves would be to them the greatest mortitica- tioi, would induce them not only to follow his example, but would also set their ingenuity to v/ork and stimulate them to improve upon his principles. From the view taken of the improveable ca- pabilities of the Canadas, in respect to furnish- ing wheat^ as well as other agricultural pro- i !l^ \i . f 11 " i\ ii i < \ ' i :)' f. 'It 230 IMPORTANCE OF THE n %i''- i. duce, for exportation, it is obvious that these hitherto - neglected colonies might, in a very short time, be so improved as to yield the most extensive supplies. There is, indeed, no doubt that, in a few years, under good management, they might not only furnish our West-Indian settlements with their supply of flour, but also the mother-country with all the wheat, hemp, and flax, which she requires from foreign parts ; unless she should be still determined to be dependent upon foreign countries for her supplies of these important articles, Mf * i\ til : « t Canada capable of producing hemp and plax sufficient for the supply op the mother-country with these articles. • In reference to the question as to how far the Canadas are capable of producing a quan- tity of hemp and flax sufficient to supply the wants of the mother-country, it may be ob- served, that, as far as relates to the extent and quality of the land under cultivation, and also their population, they certainly do possess this capability. ^ H)^ BRITISR AMEKICAN COLONIES. 251 To prove thiw point, it will be only neresanry to notice the circuniHtances which have pro- moted or retarded tiie production of flax and hemp in thcRe provinces. This fundamental cause may be justly traced to the extreme ignorance of the Canadians, with respect to agriculture in general. •"'• " ' Upon this cause a variety of others are hinged, such as, the reduced state of the land in point of fertility ; the defective knowledge of the natives, concerning these crops; and their tenacity of antient habits and established practices. Athongh these circumstances have been aflready noticed, it is nevertheless neces- sary here to make some further observations, in order to shew how far these impediments are capaWe of being removed, and to what extent, they stand in the way of the cultivation of hemp and ilax in particular. .. Although the exhausted state of the soil is a caufe which, to y certain degree, operates against the cultivation of these crops generally, and in particular where combined with certain other causes, actually prevents their cultiva- tion, yet, under other circumstances, it would not by any means prevent their being cultivated jit; '' ' 'n !^l ' •I • i I' ' ^f h V.'i' I. \ u. I r- f Sir \ ii II I ' 'If iii'ii 1^- ' ;■ n t I"' h (1 ) It I ^ M.f. i t.' ' i 232 IMPORTANCE OF THE to advantage, even to an extent sufficient to supply the British market. There are certain parts of every farm fit for the profitable production of either hemp or flax, or both ; and therefore upon the judi- cious choice, both in respect to extent and situation of the parts chosen for the production of these crops, will depend their profitable cul- ture ; hence follows the absolute necessity of a general knowledge of agriculture. The generally reduced state of the land, the want of a thorough knowledge of the manage- ment of hemp and flax, and a defective know- ledge of agriculture in general, are causes which, combined, must inevitably prevent the profitable cultivatiou of these crops. For, under such circumstances, either an injudicious choice may be made of the land destined for these crops, or too large a proportion may be appropriated to that purpose ; and therefore, even supposing the farmer by accident to have made a proper choice of the land, as to its fitness to produce the crops in question, he may never- theless so derange his system or mode of crop- pi ug as may occasion considerable loss and inconvenience, notwithstanding the hemp and flax produced may have been very abundant BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 233 Where the cultivation of these articles is un- dertaken by persons unacquainted with agricul- ture in general, notwithstanding they may toler- ably well understand the mauageraent of hemp and flax, such persons are not only likely to fail in rendering good crops of them profitable, but, from an injudicious choice and improper ma- nagement of the land selected for their growth, will certainly often meet with a double loss and disappointment, by their total failure. With respect to popular prejudices against new introductions, and a blind adherence to established practices, I have already shewn, that, were proper means introduced, — such means indeed as might be reasonably expected to succeed under like circumstances in any other country, these prejudices might not only be easily overcome, but the improvements which they might have given way to would certainly be followed up with energy. Considering that very good crops of flax are generally produced, but ruined in the manage- ment which succeeds the operation of pulling, it is therefore evident, that a little w til-directed attention to this circumstance would meet with the most certain success in improving and encouraging the cultivation of this crop. And il . L i-: h i ii^ * m Jii {■I ,v! r. i ^. m , ! 234 IMPORTANCE OP THE is also evident that, besides the direct advantages which would be derived from this end being accomplished, another important purpose would thereby be easily effected, namely, the cultiva- tion of hemp ; an improvement which, com- pared with the cultivation of flax, would prove much more profitable to the farmer, and of in- finitely greater conseqivence to the mothers- country. ' Our annual importation of hemp is about 250,000 cwt. and of flax about 175,000 cwt. 50,000 acres of land under hemp, at 5 cwt. each, and 50,000 acres under flax, at 3| cvrt. each, would produce these respective quantities. The cleared land in the Canadas is esti- mated at about 5,002,428 acres;* and, sup- posing that of the 360,000 inhabitants there are only employed in agriculture 300,000, there must, in that case, be 50,000 families of six per- sons each, employed in husbandry, and 50,000 ferms, averaging about one hundred acres. Thus it appears, that if each farmer were to sow one acre of hemp and one acre of flax, and the crops produced of only the middling- quality which I have stated, our supplies of * See page bG. a ,'■ . 1 1 BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 23S s these important articles would be obtained from our own provinces, and consequently all our anxieties about obtaining a precarious supply from our enemies relieved; besides, our colonies w^ould be thereby improved, and our manufacturers proportionably benefited. Every farm is capable of producing either hemp or flax ; and therefore in proportion as any particular farm might be found more adapted to the production of any one of these articles, respect should be paid to that circum- stance, either with regard to the respective proportions of these crops, or an absolute preference given to the one considjered tUe most profitable: there are, however, bat very few instances where the laiKl is not capable of profitably producing both. But supposing that only two-thirds of the farmers were to sow hemp and flax, in that case were each to sow one acre and an half of hemp and the same quantity of ^lax., the whole of our supplies would thereby be pro- duced. Or further, to suppose that only half the number of farmers as above were to culti- vate these crops, still our supplies would be produced by each only cultivating two acrew of hemp and two acres of flax. S!1, I i m . )\ \ jji From what has been advanced concerning the importance of the colonies which we pos- sess in North America, and the danger in which they are placed by the present %var, it is evident they are, in the highest degree, en- titled to our protection. — Compared %vith any of our other colonial establishments, — with oiir colonies in the West Indies,— ^ with or r colonxei? in the East Indies, — or with our Mediterruuean establishments, and esV'hi'^ted by the propor- tionate quantity of our sbippbig they employ, I have shewn that ihey fan L the highest :* — if valued by the present proportionate amount, and the sure prospect of f ature increase of the demand and facility they afford us for vending our manufactuves i it is clearly demonstrated that iliey have decidedly the precedence. f — Should __ — I ■ ■ — - • ■ ■ ■ ■■ — . . «-.-■■..» ■ Appendix, Nos. 8 and 17. \ No, 2. Ill) m BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 237 they be estimated according to the loyalty of their inhabitants ; — recent occurrences and the uniform conduct of these brave people prove that they are second to no colonies that Great Britain now has or ever did possess. Possess- ing then these important properties, in such a pre-eminent degree, are they not entitled to a proportionate degree of our care and attention, and a commensurate share of those means which we possess, for the protection of our colonies in general ? Perhaps some may be scarcely inclined to ad- mit that these colonies are actually in danger. I would, however, most earnestly remind such persons, that the loss of our colonies, in the last American war, was occasioned solely by the extravagant contempt which we entertained of the strength of the Americans as an enemy, — by the inadequacy of the forces sent out, and more especially, to the tardy and apparently rt luctant manner in which they were furnished. Instead of a respectable force being sent ut once, such as might have been deemed uf- ficient to destroy and disperse this enemy, whose power we then held in so much con- tempt, our troops were sent out in handfuls, — a ■/I. \* ' ". 1l| i . H ,"■# •^l^ :.,t ! : :lt ■Vi V iii' m 1 ' it f ■ ■ 'a i|i:n.!: 1 240 IMPORTANCE OF THE garrison of Quebec and the river St. Lau- rence has over the Canadas are valuable ad- vantages, and certainly of vast importance: but they are only to the j.ossession of the Ca- nadas, as the capital is to the kingdom, or as the citadel to the city. In the defence of the country, they are strong and important posi- tions ; but to rest the safety of our possession of the country, in any considerable degree, upon them, would be little better than volun- tarily resigning it to the enemy. Our government, however, must have trusted the safety of these provinces principally to these circumstances, otherwise they would have been more prompt in furnishing the means of de- fending them at the commencement of hosti- lities, and, at this moment, would have had a much greater force in that country. Regarding the loyalty of the Canadians, and their attachment to their parent-country, they are certainly of vast importance in the defence of these colonies. If proofs of this were want- ing, let us look back to the late American war, and witness their zeiil and enthusiasm in the British cause in the present struggle. The Ca- nadas, consisting as yet but of a small popu- 'I BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 241 lation, and extended along the American fron- tier, and, consequently, exposed to an f nemy of innnensely superior strength in point of numerical proportion, are, therefore, however unshaken their zeal and undaunted their cou- rage, inadequate to the defence of these colonies. With a reasonable supi)ly of troops from the mother-country, however, — even with half the number to which the importance of these pos- sessions entitle them, which would be at least double the force which is there at present, they would be safe beyond all doubt or apprehension. The firm attachment of the Indians to our interest is a circimistance which adds greatly to our means of defending and securing our Canadian possessions ; and, indeed, consti- tutes the principal means of our holding these colonies. It may be, therefore, necessary to take notice of the circumstances to which we owe this important alliance. For we must not suppose that the Indians esteem us merely be- cause we are British, nor hate and despise our enemies in that quarter merely because they are Americans ; they, as well as civilized na- tions, must have more potent reasons, and more stinndating motives, for their friendship. R k ' \ 1 1 I\ 1 t 242 IMPORTANCR OP THE ;i' :■ I i i ■H, i |S; 'li' «i. f -i i ! I'' i ' f ^ • I i: I The friendly allianco of the Indians is de- rived from various causes : — in the first place, JroTn the American encroachments upon their rights and privileges ; in the second phice, jtrom the good-ivill of the frontier nations^ pur- chased by the presents annually made them by our goternment ; and, in the third place, y'row an extensive intercourse which has been culti- vated with them, almost over the xvhole northern continent of America^ by our fur-traders. With regard to the first of these causes ; the rapid progress which the settlements of the Unircd States has made towards the interior upon all sides, and the little ceremony ob- served by the Americans in obtaining posses- sion of their new territory, has produced several wars between the Americans and the Indians, and thereby created and kept up in the Indian breast a constant rancour and an- tipathy towards these intruders. Our government, upon the other hand, has carefully avoided the smallest misunderstand- ing with them upon the score of territorial right ; and, likewise, studiously courted and secured their friendship by an annual distribution of presents to the nations inhabiting the frontiers. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 243 Our fur-trade with the Indians, however, has certainly done inhnitely more towards se- curing their friendship than all the other causes jointly considered. This trade is principally carried on by a company of merchants, consisting of several establishments, but generally styled the North- West Company. The concerns of this house have been so organized, and their plans and schemes of operation conducted npon such an extensive scale as to have extended their trade over a very large proportion of the continent of North America ; even from the coast of Labradore nearly to the Pacitic Ocean ; and from the vi- cinity of Lousiana, almost to the Frozen Sea, which bounds the continent upon the North. The trade carried on by this company with the Indians has been so industriously prosecuted and judiciously and honourably conducted as to have rendered it not only extremely profitable, but highly honourable to the company, from their having thereby secured to the Britisii na- tion the friendly disposition of all the Indian nations, to whom their commercial intercourse has extended. For, in all their intercourse R 2 if ji |! n. ',h W k <« ^, :i ^vU. \^ \n1 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) % l.u I.I 116 1.8 L25 111114 .6 V <^ /; P^. ^ ss. ^'^ °> s^ >v Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 z r^O & > C^ '\ ! ( 1 1 'h i: 'T-i f Ifi '■■i :i : 1 ! .1 l> \ 1 i M Ifl^i 244 IMPORTANCE OF THE with these savages, they h^ve not only avoided quarrels, but have universally commanded re- spect, and secured the friendship and esteem of that uncultivjiied and war-like race, both for themselves and the British in general. It is evident, therefore, that it is to this mer- cantile establishment that we are indebted for the cordial co-operation of the Indians against the Americans. Considering that it was in a great measure from our Indian alliance, during the last Ame- rican war, that we secured the Canadas at its termination, it may therefore be fairly conclu- ded that it is, in some degree, to the honour- able principles upon which our fur-trade has been carried on, that we are indebted for the possession of the Canadas at the present day. Indeed, our Indian alliance would, had it not been from the most culpable ignorance of our negotiators, have then secured to us what now constitutes the richest and best portion of all that part of the United States, which lies east of the Allegany mountains, viz. — that vast fertile country, situated upon the south side of the St. Laurence and the lakes, to the head- waters of the rivers which empty themselves into the St. Laurence and its chain of lakes. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 245 But so miserably deiicient, in point of in- formation, were our negotiating magi upon this occasion, that they appeared blind to their countries' rights, in respect to the protection of this most valuable branch of British com- merce, (the fur-trade,) and ignorant that our faithful Indian allies had any interests, entitled to our notice, in this treaty ; otherwise they never would have ceded to the Americans that very country, of wliicli these allies were then in possession, — in which the Americans had literally not a soldier in arms, — they would have never given up that fine country upon the south banks of the St. Laurence and its lakes, thereby wresting from these friendly Indians (who had already suffered so much in our cause,) their paternal inheritance ; — driving them, by this disgraceful treaty, from their an- tient possessions, of which the hostile armies of America could not dispossess them. — They must have been totally ignorant that there was any thing respecting the fiir- trade worthy of attention, or even that there existed any such bianch of industry in British commerce, otherwise tliey would not have ceded the forts or posts of Michiliniakiiiac, I " 1 1 ■t\ 24« IMPORTANCC 01' THE «. 1. Detroit, Niagai'a, 8cc. and, allowed the boundary line to rrach the middle of the St. Laurence and llie lakes, thereby, in a great measure, shutlinjjj up the door of ac- cess to the fur-trade against us. Indeed, they appear to l;ave entered into negotia- tion with our rebel-colonists, with a deter- mination to insist upon nothing that was con- tended for by that party ; for, being in posses- sion of the whole coimtry, upon the south side of the St. LaurencM^ and the lakes, as well as upon the north side, and, as I havo already mentioned, holding the forts of Niagara, De- troit, and Michiliuiakinac, who could have sup- posed that there were to be found British nego- tiators so very ignorant as to have given up all that extensive country. The settlements of the State of Main had not then reached farther to the eastward (be- ing towards New Brunswick) than the river Penobscot. That river, therefore, ought to have been the l)oundary between the United States and New Brunswick ; ant^, upon the Canadian side, the boundary line ought to have run from lake Kersisango to the head of lake Champ- BRITISH AMEKICAN PROVINCKS. 247 3d the of the h in a of ac- Indeed, negotia- i deter- ^as cdti- i posses- uth side 3 well as already ira, De- lave sup- sh nego- n up all am had ard (be- he river Lve been ates and anadian run from Champ- lain ; from thrnce !o a })oiiit about equal dis- tances, between lake Erie and the river Ohio, at Pittsburg ; and, from thence, to the west- ward, in that parallel of latitude. Such a boundary line would have secured us the free and uninterrupted navigation of the St. Laurence and the lakes, and the possession of one of the finest and most fertile countries in the world. The cession of this country, then in our possession, without an erjuivalent, gla- ring and unaccountable as that sacrifice was, was rendered still more cisipable by our bcniig then, as already observed, in possession of New York and Rhode Island, both which, with this fine country, were given up by the ministers of that day. My reason for taking so particular notice of these gross mistakes, which were committed in negotiating the last peace with America, is in- tended for the double purpose of stimulating to adequate exertions, for regaining that which we so foolishly, and with so much simplicity, gave away v — and to remind our ministers, that America actually gained nearly as much terri- tory by negotiationy at the end of the late war, as she did by a bloody contest of seven years. !t i'.i I! .; ' % ''t! ■1i 848 IMPORTANCE OF THE that they may, when they come to negotiate, endeavour to regain what has been bo wantonly andfooUshljf thrown away. \\:% ) • V t iMf * » ! I \ I i 'If ■K "'• H ■1 II Respecting the impolicy, of which the British government has been guilty, in suffer- ing the Americans to take possession of Loui- siana, but particularly the latter, it may be remarked that this acquisition of the United- States government was not merely a territorial extent, — not a forest, the settlement of which would be a work of ages, but an immense aug- mentation to their population, — a country, in every respect, superior to any they ever before possessed ; and in this point of view it was considered by one of the most subtle politi- cians, who organized the immense power of Buonaparte, — Talleyrand, whose opinions of the importance of these colonies, and the fer- tility of the country, on the banks of what he terms the Nile of America, may be seen, from the following extracts, from a pamphlet, writ- ten by him at the period when Buonaparte was first consul. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 249 otiate, ntonly h the suflfer- Loui- lay be Jnited- ritorial which ;e aug- try, in before it was politi- rer of )ns of e fer- lat he from writ- e was ** * Oiir nation had the vain honour of confer- ring a name on a portion of tlie globf , not ex- ceeded by any other portion of it, in all the advantages of climate and soil. Before the war of 1757, it was an immense valley, watered by a deep and beneficent river. This river first acquires ini]>ortance in the latitude of forty-five, nortii. It Hows in a devious course about two thousand miles, and enters the bay of Mexico, by many mouilis, in latitude 29. In these lati- tudes is comprised the temperate zone, which has been always deemed most favourable to the perfection of the animal and vegetable nature. This advantage is not marred by the chilling and steriliji/hig influence of lofty mountains, the pestilential fumes of intractable bogs, or the dreary uniformity of sandy plains. Through the whole extent, there is not, probably, a snow-capt hill, a moving sand, or a volcanic eminence. . . • *' This valley is of different breadths. The rida'e which bounds it on the east is in some places near a thousand miles from the great * From the New Quarterly Ueview, No. 5. I. i" 250 IMPORTANCE OF THE : i \ ) I ^'i middle stream. From this ridge, secondary rivers, of great extent and niagnificence, flow towards the centre, and the intermediate re- gions are an uncultivated Paradise. On the west, the valley is of similar dimensions, the streams are equally large and useful, and the condition of the surface equally delightful. " We must first observe, that, in gaining pos- session of this territory, we shall not enter on a desert, where the forest must be first removed before a shelter can be built ; whither we must carry the corn and the clothes necessary to pre- sent subsistence ; and the seed, the tools, and the cattle, which are requisite to raise a future provision. " There cannot, in the first place, be ima- gined a district more favourable to settlement. In addition to a genial climate and soil, there are the utmost facilities of communication and commerce. The whole district is the sloping side of a valley, through which run deep and navigable rivers, which begin their course in the remotest borders, and which all terminate in the central stream. This stream, one of the longest and widest in the world, is rema^'kably distinguished by its depth, and freedom from BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 251 natural impediments. It iiows into a ^If iivhich contains a great number of populous islands. Among these islands are numerous passages into the ocean, which washes the shores of Europe. Thus, not only every part of the district is easily accessible by means of rivers, but the same channels are ready to con- vey the products of every quarter to the markets most contiguous and most remote. " The Nile flows in a torrid climate through a long and narrow valley. The fertility which its annual inundations produce extends only two or three leagues on either side of it. The benefits of this fertility are marred by the neighbourhood of scorching sands, over which the gales carry intolerable heat and incurable pestilence, and which harbour a race of sa- vages, whose trade is war and pillage. Does this river bestow riches worthy of the greatest efforts of the nation to gain them, and shall the greater Nile of the western. hemisphere be neglected ? A Nile, whose inundations diffuse the fertility of Egypt twenty leagues from its shores, which occupies a valley wider liian from the Duna to the Rhine, which flows among the most beautiful dales, and under the /■' f '- !•■ I i llM' *■■' I . S » 1 :: i mi' i;! ! %Tl IMPORTANCE OP THE benigiiest seasons, and which is skirted by a civilized and kindred nation on one side, and on the other by extensive regions, over which the tide of growing population may spread it- self withont hindrance or danger. " But of what avail will be all these advan- tages, unless a market be provided for the pro- duce of the soil ? Now this market is already provided. For all that it can produce, France alone will supply tkirti/ millions of consumers. The choicest luxuries of Europe are coffee, sugar, and tobacco. The most useful mate- rials of clothing are cotton and silk. All these are either natives of the Mississippi valley, or remarkably congenial to it. The cultivation of these, and the carriage to market, are as ob- vious and easy as the most ardent politician can desire. The whole extent of the river will be our own, and in the lower and most fertile portion of its course, the banks on both sides will be our indisputable properly. ** The friend of the health, longevity, and useful pleasure of the human species, and of the opulence of France, could not devise a better scheme than one which should enable every inhabitant of Europe to consume half a- 1' ll BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 253 rted by a ^ide, and er which spread it- 36 advan- ' the pro- 3 already , France nsumers. e coffee, ul mate- 411 these dlev, or vation of e as ob- olitician ver will t fertile th sides y, and and of levise a enable half a- pound of sugar a day, and assign to French- men the growth, the carriage, and the distri- bution of thus much.* Now this scheme is no other than the j)ossession of the American Nile. But this end may be too magniiicent lo be deemed credible. Let us, then, confine our- selves to the consumption of France ; for this alone will be adequate to the employment, and conducive to the wealth, of a vast number of cultivators. " A much less beneficial luxury is coffee, but this our habits have equally endeared lo us. We have hitherto drawn it from the same foun- tain which has supplied us with sugar: the trade in it must follow the same destiny, the same benefits will flow from increasing the supply, and from drawing the supply from the valley of the Mississippi. " I shall pass over, without mentioning, many other articles, such as tobacco, indigo, and the like, for which France and the rest of Europe * 225,000,000 cwt. the produce of an aieii, mt exieed- ing that of Ciuienne, Normandy, and Biilafiny, are not a twentietli part of the valley of the Mississippi. —Trans- lator. j ' f n it i i i 254 IMPORTANCE OP THE will supply aii uiiliinileil coiiHiimpliou, ami hasten to arti<:Ie« wliich are of more import- ance, and these are cotton and provisions. ** The most beautiful production of nature is cotton. It was more tiian the caprice of fashion that wem to the extremities of the East in search of this material, for there is none capa- ble of a ij^reater number of uses, of so many forms, and such various colours. Its texture may constitute the lightest and most beautiful of ornaments, or the best defence against the intemperature of the air. ** The nations of the East have used it im- memorially, and from them has it gradually been brought to Europe. The use of it seems to have been limited by nothing but the power of procuring it. Like sugar, the use of it has increased since it has been naturalized to the (Soil of America. The consumption has, in like manner, been eager to outrun the suj^ly. " The American States have, of late, become sensible of the value of the commerce in cotton, and their success supplies us with a new ex- am j)le, and a powerful inducement to appro- priate, in part, the territori/ of the Mississippi to the same culture. RRniSH AMERICAN COLONIES. 256 ** But now come the fearful and Hcrupulous head to dash these charming prospects. Ob- stacles to these great achievements multiply in his timorous fancy. He expatiates on the length of the way; the insahibrity of unculti- vated lands ; of a climate to which the consti- tution and habits of the colonists are unconge- nial ; of a soil, part of which, and that acces- sible and most valuable, lies under a torrid sun, and is annually inundated. ** Now all these difhculties are imaginary. They are real in relation to a first settlement. They ought to be taken into strict account, if our projects extended to New Holland or to California. In all real cases, these difficulties have been great by reason of the avarice, in- justice, and folly, of the colonizing nation; and the wisest plans could not totally exclude, though they would greatly lessen and easily surmount them. But Louisiana is not a new settlement : It is one of the oldest in North America. All tiie labours of discovering and of setting the first root on a desert shore, were suffered and accomplished long ago. ** The Spaniards must be thoroughly aware that their power in Mexico and Peru exists by '." ^i HI ' li II % I I ^ll I > !, ! i 1 ' •. ■ r:'^ a: 5 ■ 1 '■A tt'Si M rui Ifli , 1 i 1 i ,1 i 1 1, J \, t 25G IMPORTANCE OF THE the weakness and division of their vassals, and by tin; rotnotenoss and competition of their Enropean cncniies. Unwise and imbecile as that nation has generally appeared in latter limes, the admission of tlie French to a post from whence their dominioiis may be so easily annoyed at prcisent, and from >vhich their fu- ture expidsion is inevitable, is a folly too egre> gious even for them to commit, and of which the most infatuated of their counsels has not hitherto given an example. *' If Spain should refuse the cession, there is an end to our golden views. Our empire in the new world is strangled in its cradle ; or, at least, the prosecution of onr scheme must wait for a more propitious season. But, should the fortune of our great leader continue her smiles ; should our neighbour be trepanned or intimi- dated into this concession, there is removed, indeed, one obstacle, of itself insujierable ; but only to give way to another, at least, equally hard to subdue ; and that is, the opposition oj' K no; land. " "^^rhat nation justly regards us as the most formidable enemy to her gnnitness. Of late, if her pride* would confess iIk^ truth, she would British American colonies. 257 assals, and m of their imbecile as ed in latter :h to a post be so easily ch their fn- ily too egre- d of which sels has not ion, there is npire in the die ; or, at must wait should the ler smiles ; or intirai- s removed, rable ; but st, equally pposition q) IS the most Of late, sIh' would acknowledge that not her greatness only, but her very being was endangered, either by the influ- ence of our arms, or the contagion of our ex- ample* She was assailed in her vitals, as the copfusions of Ireland will testify. She was attacked in her extremities, as the expedition to Egypt, a mere prelude to the conquest of Hindostan, will prove. Her efforts to repel both these attacks, were suitable to their import- ance, and evince the magnitude of her fears. The possession of the vantage-ground enabled her to crush the Irish. Her naval supe- riority, and the caprice of the winds, en- abled her to check our victorious career in the east. " Will they suffer Franco to possess herself of the most effectual means of prosecuting fu- ture wars to a different issue? Their navy and their commerce are, at present, all their trust. France may add Italy and Ger- many to her dominions with less detriment to England than would follow from her ac- quisition of a navy, and the extension of her trade. Whatever gives colonies to France, ilors; manufac- sr^ppli ships ^nd i' ;•' k\ \ I- ■ f ^ ■ -e? I- H ^ ni . I III \ .1 5 f' i I 'I. ■ I y /. tr 1^ Ml ■ t : 258 liMPORTANCE OF THE tares and liiisbaudmeii. Victories by land can only jrivc her mxxi'mouH subjects ; who, instead of angmenting; the national force, by their riches or nnmbers, contribute only to disperse and en- feeble that force ; but the growth of colonies su|)plies her with zealous citizens, and the increase of real wealth and eftective numbers is the certain consequence. , " What could Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, combining* their strength, perform against England? They might assemble in millions on the shores of the channel, Init there would be the limit of their enmity. Without ships to carry them over ; without experienced mariners to navigate these ships, England wonld only deride the pompous preparation. The moment we leave the shore her fleets are ready to pounce upon us ; to disperse and destroy our ineffectual armaments. There lies their security: in their insular situation and their navy consist their impregnable defence. Their navy is, in every respect, the offspring of their trade. To rob them of that, therefore, is to beat down their last wall and fill up their last moat. To gain it to ourselves, is to enable IIRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 259 US to take advantage of their deserted and de- fenceless borders, and to complete the humi- liation of our only remaining competitor. " The trade which enriches England lies chiefly in the products of foreign climates. But her Indian territories produce nothing which the Mississippi could not as easily produce. The Ganges fertilizes a valley less extensive. Its Deltas, as well as those of the Nile, are in the same latitudes, and these rivers generate the same exuberant soil, only in smaller space and in less quantities than the great western Nile : but the Mississippi comprehends, in its bosom, the regions of the temperate zone as well as the tropical climates and products. The arc- tic circle in America will be equally accessible to us and to the English. Our ant lent posses- sions in Canada will in due season return to us of their own accord ; and, meanwhile, a double portion of anxiety, and double provfsion of forts and garrisons, will fall to the lot of the usurping English. The progress of the French will expose their islands, first to be excluded from the markets of Europe, and next to be swallowed up by military power. At present, the protector and the enemy are at an equal s2 11 % n N , t i .1 260 IMPORTANCE OF THE distance ; bnt then there will only be a narrow frith between the Mississippi and the isles, be- tween the invaders and the objects they covet, while the defenders wonld be, as now, afar off; neither apprised of our designs nor able to defeat them. ** This nation coold not bary itself m a more inaccessible fortress than this valley. The mouths of this river, as to all attacks by sea, are better tlian the bastions of Malta. AU around the entrance is impassable to men and horses, and the great channel is already har- ried by forts, easily extended and improved. A wise policy would teach the English to di- vert our attention from this quarter, by the sa- crifice of Valetta or Gibraltar. " Can we imagine the fUiglish so vigilant, so prudent in all affairs connected with their ma- ritime empire; so quick in their suspicions; so prompt in their precautions> ; can be blind to the dangers with which this cession will menace them? No defeats^ or humiliations, short of their island, will make them acquiesce in such arrangements. " It is contrary to all probability that either Spain or England will be tractable on this oc- V. A. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES, 2GI a narrow isles, be- ley covet, low, afar \ nor able hi> a more ey. The Ls by sea, ;aUa. AU men and ready bar- 1 improved, dish to di- by the sa- vigilant, so their ma- uspicions ; |be blind to lill menace short of ice in such that either on this oc- casion ; but, if the danger, by being distant, is invisible to them ; or if the present evils, arising to England from continuance of the war, or to Spain from the resentment of the Frenqh go- vernment, should outweigh, in their appre- hensions, all future evils, and prevail on one to grant, and on the other to connive at the grant, by what arguments, by what promises, by what threats, by what hostile efforts, shall we extort the consent of the American States ? How shall we prevail on them to alienate the most valuable portion of their territory ; to ad- mit into their vitals a formidable and active peo- ple, whose interests are incompatible, in every point, with their own; whose enterprises will inevitably interfere and jar with theirs; whose neighbourhood will cramp all their movements ; circumscribe their future progress to narrow and ignominious bounds ; and make incessant in- roads on their harmony and independence ? " Long ago would the lesser princes of Italy and Germany have disappeared, if Sweden, France, Prussia, and Austria, had not stood ready to snatch the spoil from each other. Long ago would the Turkish robbers have been driven back to their native deserts, if any h W 'A i' A' ' 1\, Si ! I :'^ I (J n '■k > \ V 262 IMPORTANCE OF THE single nation of Europe had been suffered Vjy the rest to execute that easy task. But the Spaniards know that Spain and America must one day fall asunder. Why then should they decline a present benefit, in order to preclude one means of an event, which yet, by other means, if not by these, will inevitably hap- pen ? " As to England, all the disadvantages with which this event is said to menace them are real. All the consequences just predicted to her colonies, to her trade, to her navy, to her ultimate existence, will indisputably follow. The scheme is eligible to its chiefly on this account, and these consequences, if they rouse the English to a sturdier opposition, ought like- wise to stimulate the French to more strenuous perseverance. /t; ** Bi.», in truth, every Frenchman must laugh with scorn at the thought of British opposition. What would the Spaniards say, were they told by the English — You must not give away this colony. Though a great incumbrance to you, and a great benefit to those whom it is your interest and duty to oblige, you must, by no means, part with it. What patience, either BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 263 flfered V^y But the rica must )uld they preclude by other Lbly hap- ages with them are edicted to vy, to her ly follow. is account^ rouse the ught like- strenuous nust laugh opposition. they told away this ce to you, it is your ust, by no ice, either in France or Spain, would tolerate an inter- ference thus haughty, from an enemy to both ? But when is this opposition to be made? Tliis is not a subject of debate between the agents of England and France. It falls not under their discussion It cannot, therefore, be the occasion of their interviews. Tliere is no room for opposition to what comes not under our notice. The cession must be made without their knowledge. It is only to be published by its execution, and when the French are safely lodged in the Mississippi, the gainsayings of the English will be too late. " But there is a nearer, and, it must be own- ed, a more formidable, nation to gain. If there be any truth in the picture heretofore drawn, of the value of this province to France, it must be, in a still greater proportion, of value to the American States. If the powers of this rising nation were intrusted to the hands of one wise ipan ; if the founder of the nation was still its supreme magistrate^ and he had no wills to consult but his oxvn^ the French, most probably, would never be allowed to set their foot on that shore ; but the truth, the desirable truth, is, that opposition is the least to be ■; 'U* .'<' I i .^■' 1 i 1 3:| I ^^ iii » \\. :t 11^ ".* ' V k It ^ \ i '\ . !■ 1 i I ;: 1 if ttn4 IMPORTANCE OF THE dreadrd from tho8<» wl»o have most reason to oppOHo lis. They, whose intereslH are most manifest, may he most easily deceived : whose daiitver is most imminent, may most easily be Inlled into secnrity. They, whose vicinity to the scene of action puts it most in their power to enact their own safety ; whose military force might !)e most easily assembled and directed to this end, we shall have the least tronble in di- vidinj^, intimidating, and disarming;. ^ -^ " I come now to the last diflicnlty, which the most scrnpnions objector has discovered ; and this difficuUy rci/l he dissipated with more case than the rest. On what foundation does it ixjwscy but the visionart/ notion, that the cofi- duct of nations is governed hj/ enlightened views to their own interest ? The rnlers of nations have views of their own, and they are gained by the gratification of these private views. The more individnals tliere are that govern, and the more various their conditions and their charac- ter, the more dissimilar are their interests, and the more repngnant these interests to those of each other, and the interests of the whole. " Was there ever a people who exhibited so motley a character : who have vested a more r,V HRITI8H AMERICAN COLONIE8. ^05 iirnitf>d and precarious authority in their rulers ; who have multiplied ho much the uuinberH of thoMe that govern ; who have dispcTsed them- selvcR over ho wide a Apace ; and have been led, 1)y this local disperHion, to create «o many clashing jurisdictionH and jarring interests, as the States of America? - ; .:.rM^ . . , " They call themselves Jrta, yet a fifth of their number are slaves. That proportion of the whole people ai'e ground by a yoke more dreadful and debasing than the predial servi- tude of Poland and Russia. They call them- selves oncy yet all languages are native to their citizens. All countries have contributed their outcasts and refuse to make them a people. Even the race of Africa, a race not above, or only just above, the beasts, are scattered every where among them, and in some of the dis- tricts of their eanpire, are nearly a moiety of the whole, iii^^^r i^'tf -^m; . . m. !., *' Such is the people whom we, it seems, are to fear, because their true interest would make them our enemies ; with whom we are to con- tend in negotiation, or, if need be, in arms! We, who are as much a proverb for our skill in diplomatics as in war; who have all the 111 i^ !*l »fl! 'I I ! , ' ;!. hi ! (• "I I Hi V\ ! if . »;- 'I- fi f .1' , , ri.l I 1 . I t ' unity in counsels; the celerity in execution; the harmony of interests ; the wisdom of ex- perience ; and the force of compactness, of which this patchwork republic is notoriously destitute. Their numbers! That, when the parts are discordant, is only fuel more easily kindled, and producing a more extensive and unquenchable flame. Five millions of jarring and factious citizens are far less formidable than a disciplined and veteran legion of as many thousands. ^.: ** But the great weakness of these States arises from their form of government, and the condition and the habits of the people. Their form of government, and the state of the country, is a hot - bed for faction and sedi- tion. The utmost force of all the wisdom they possess is exerted in keeping the hostile parts together. These parts are unlike each other, and each one has the individualizing preju- dices of a separate state ; all the puerile jea- lousies of the greatness of others ; all the petty animosities which make neighbours quar- rel with each other without cause. How slight an additional infusion is requisite to set this heterogeneous mass into commotion ? to make BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 267 the diflferent parts incline different ways, on the great question of war ? " The master of the Mississippi will be placed so as to controul, in the most effectual manner, these internal zvaves. It is acknoM'- ledged that he holds in his hands the bread of all the settlements westward of the hills. He may dispense or withhold at his pleasure. See we not the mighty influence that this / power will give us over the councils of the States?'* ' A (,'• From the above extracts we learn the impor- tance of which our enemy considered this terri- tory ; whether looked at as a valuable acqui- sition in point of produce or the means of fu- ture annoyance. — How then is it possible to account for that infatuated blindness which could tamely permit the fradulent transfer of so valuable a province. The inhabitants of this extensive, populous, and fertile country, hated the Americans, and would have been glad to have been placed under our protection. Our government, how- ever, tamely looked on, whilst the United States took possession of this fine country in trust =iii n u 288 IMPORTANCE OP THF Vl ; i .1 for Buonaparte ; being the first step of a pro- ject concerted between the American goveru- nient and this Corsican tyrant, for wrestinj^* tlie Canadas from us. Passing over, however, all former transac- tions, now is tlie time to rectify at once all for- mer mistakes, by taking immediate possession of this desirable country. Its own intrinsic value renders it infinitely more than equal to balance every expense of such an imdertaking, even were the cost more than ten times the amount which probability may indicate. Its valu to us is greatly enhanced by its contiguity to our West-Indian possessions, — by the favourable disposition of the people towards us, — ^^by its being the key to the rich and fertile fulaius upon the rivers Mississippi and Ohio, — by the door which it would open to the intro- duction of our manufa€tures into one of the most populous and richest of all the Spanish colonies, (Mexico,) — and, by the command it would give us over the United States. ,, ^ The possession of this territory would be, to use Talleyrand's expression, ** a rein by " which the fury of the States may be held at *' pleasure." The Indians to the northward, BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS. 26f) l»eiiig already devoted to our interest, the pos- session of tliis country would place the fndian force of almost the whole continent of North America at our disposal. Thus should we be enabled, at all times, to keep the United States in check, almost without the aid of Bri- tish troops. In a commercial point of view, the acquisi- tion of this territory would be of immense im- portance. It would, at all times, secure to us an opportunity of supplying the southern and western parts of the Uniteil States with our manufactures. And the Canadas, also, afford- ing us the like privilege upon her northern frontiers, we should thereby have, at all times, secured to us a door of ready access to one of the most valuable fields of British commerce. The possession of all these colonies would render the whole border of the United State* a permanent channel, which the American go- vernment never could prevent from beiog the means of vending our manufactures throughout the interior of her country, even whatever her disposition might be in this respect. The produce of Louisiana is lumber, wheats rice, Indian corn, provisions, cotton, indigo^ tobacco, &c. I I M I . i 'i! iV hi :l : ji 270 IMPORTANCE OF THi; ri S: • 1* . n ? Ui. il Mil II'. 1 I I '^^1 :, i.^ ^ r\ k •1 I' ^ g , id kj : These are articles of great imiiortaiice, both to ourVVest-Iiidian islands, and the motlier-country. The carringo of tlie pro I ' ;/' ■1 ^ '.■•ul f ♦■(; r EM f ! •i ^:. ?i' y I ■ I ^ :,r. i 272 IMPORTANCE OF THE they would soon raise her to the highest rank of maritime power. — With the privileges of tlie British ship-owner sacrificed to America to the same extent they have been for the last thirty years,* they would be sufficient to give her the absolute dominion of the seas. To Great Britain, therefore, these colonies are invaluable. At the conclusion of the late American war, the loss of the colonies, which now form part of the United States, was considered as im- ipiense, and almost irreparable. The colonies which then remained in our possession, however, and which now constitute our present possessions in that quarter, esti- mated either by the consequences which would inevitably result to this country from their loss, or by their actual value whilst in our possession, are of infinitely more importance to us now than those were to us at that period. I shall therefore make a few observations concerning them in both these respects. The loss of them, and their annexation to the United Stales, would be dangerous in the put in possession of one of the principal utuntime resources of these colonies by the British government. * Sec No. 0, in the Appendix. ;st rank of es of the rica to the last thirty give lier To Great ii valuable, rican war, form part ed as im- ;d in our constitute irter, esti- ch would heir loss, )ssession, us now I shall mcerning Kation to s in the « fcsources of BRITISH AMERICAN COLONICS. 273 extreme. By some it may be considered but idle speculation to suppose the loss of these colonies as even possible. But, let it be re- membered, that they who, during the late American war, apprehended the ultimate loss of our colonies, were also considered as ti- morously anticipating evils which would never happen; and apprehending losses which would never be sustained. Were we not then taught, by fatal experience, however, that our extra- vagant contempt of the power of our enemy might prove the means of our defeat, — of placing victory in the hands of the imbecile, and of humbling us even before weakness it- self? as that instance and subsequent events have fully proved. — For, the result of the late war with the Ame- ricans was, that they^ almost without an army^ actually heat us out of the field. They hare alsot without a navy, ever since ^ awed us into tame submission to the t?iost gross 'violation of the maritime laxvs of Europe, And, whilst their government was almost without form or consistency, they threatened us into conces- sions, by which they have acquired an amount of merchant-shipping equal or even greater T i'T .,1 ■ I i.i:' I. '1 \ \%. ill •r '1' I i r. I: il' 1' I ■ \M ■""7^ ■ .■ f ., ;-P r ' I ^ ► 1 i >' \ a I 5S ■■il ■'. 1 -■* II Ir ' ,'. I i ' flit 1^1 i \ Mi 'III I i' ' V ■ « 274 rMPORTANCE OF THE irtlM than our own :* the greater proportion of which — lamentable to state ! — has been reared and supported by a sacrifice of the rights and privileges of British ship-rowners and British merchants.^ Respecting the means which the Americans possess, of constructing and raising a naivy, let us but ^or a moment reflect upon the fuUow- ing circumstances, viz. what powerful fleets nations of but small and trifling population, compared with that of America, have, in some instances, by careful nursing and proper pro^ tection reared upon only the pickings of the carriage of the goods of other nations, such as Holland, Venice, &c. Ought we not then to view with a scrupulous eye the maritime ad- vantages possessed by America — her geogra- phical and political situation ;— her vast extent of coast ; — the rapid increase of her popula- tion, and the vast and unparalleled growth of her commerce; — her extei^sive resources for the support of her shipping;— the amount of her tonnage, and number of the sailors * See No. 14 in the Appendix. ■*- attle ships in .the course oif. twelve moutliii. 1" 2 '■I Si r,^ ■ p 1 i J" 'i i I ^ .1' \ i\ I' i ^ I, ; I 11 ,! ^\ if ] \] V H i V t! ■ (::. .1-. 5'- I f^ II 4 pi .,^'5^ •;^ i.' > "• !*: ■ 1 1.-* ■. ■:i : : ^'l<] i^- 1i '(T •:^^ ^ , . ',■<■' K ■'S? ■ ** ,:'! . 1 . 1 ■^ '•' 'i;; :;|J^!' 1.^ i I i '' il , 1 •1 . ' 1 t i 1 i :• 1 f , *■ Hi: • t ' ( 276' IMi'ORTANCE OF THE ted States, — her immense shipping, and the mode by which it has been acquired, are cir- cumstances which, as well as the late over- grown power of Buonaparte upon the conti- nent of Europe, ought to excite our most se- rious attention, and to be met by measures of proper precaution. These circumstances, minutely investigated and maturely weighed, will be found, perhaps, to forebode to us consequences nearly as alarming as those which we might apprehend from the reduction of the whole continent of Europe, under the grasp of Buonaparte or any other tyrant. For such a continental ccm- bination against us, alarming as it would necessarily be, could only be expected to con- tinue but for a short period, as has of late been most fortunately demonstrated. The great body of such an empire acquired and forced together by the unnatural grasp of tyranny and oppression, and composed of na- tions varying in manners, customs, languages, and laws; differing fi*om each other upon points of the most essential importance, and, conse- quently^ convulsed by internal discontent, would be but little calculated to mature any nRITI''H AMERICAN COLON IKS. 277 and the are cir- ate over- he conti- most se- gasures of vestigated , perhaps, nearly as apprehend intinent of aparte or lental ccm- it would d to con- late been acquired |l grasp of ied of na- |anguages, )on points Id, conse- liscontent, iture any maritime project wliich would be adequate to create and organise a fleet, in any degree cap..- ble of coping with the British navy. But, on the contrary, America not only pos- sesses the most extensive maritime resources and facilities, but is a country united by the same language, manners, and customs, and, already boimd together by one government; and, moreover, every individual under that go- vernment, having already benefited by an ex- tensive shipping, are therefore intoxicated with national pride at their late successes, and, teeming with the idea of naval rank and power, to which our half measures have lately so mucli contributed. The measures therefore, which might be adopted by a coun- try so circumstanced, would be framed with comparatively more consistency, and prosecu- ted with more energy, and consequently must produce effects proportionably of a more for- midable and permanent nature, than those to be apprehended from the measures of any con- tinental coalition which could possibly be brought together. Who in this country, that values its inde- pendence, would not be alarmed, were w(? l^' "l' If f^; { ■■' > :* ; ( .( !■ f 278 IMPORTANCE OF THE to recognise France, Holland, Germany, Prus- sia, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia, all organi- sed under one government; or even the mari- time districts of these countries ? There is not, perhaps, a loyal subject in the country, pos- sessed of common sense and sound understand- ing, and an ordinary degree of discernment, who would not apprehend consequences, which would give him the most serious alarm. But how different our ideas and apprehen- sions appear to be in respect to the United States! Although that government occupies a coast, which, compared with the vast extent of the continent of Europe, is equally extensive, and, (having reference to that part of the population only, who are employed and enga- ged in maritime affairs,) is, perhaps, equally populous, and indeed infinitely superior in point of a variety of maritime facilities. — Notwith- standing she possesses an amount of shipping, and every other means which constitute the sources from whence a navy is derived and sup- ported, almost equally extensive as those posses- sed by all these nations, yet these circumstances appear to give us no serious concern.— Otherwise, we should not have; Innioiv looked on, whih^t f, Prus- [ organi- le inari- •e is not, ry, pos- lerstand- erninent, BS, which n. ipprehen- le United iccupies a t extent of extensive, trt of thfe and enga- s, equally iperior in -Notwith- ' shipping, stitute the ed and sup- lose posses- cunistances -Otherwise, on, \vhih>t BRITISH AiUERICAr* COLONIES. 270 the Americans made such an extensive auj?- mentation to their maritime resources as tlie possession of Louisiana. — We should not, by opening the ports of our East-Indian colonies to their trade at hirge, whilst shut against the great body of British merchants, have added largely to their shipping by crushing our own. — We should have neither encouraged nor al- lowed them to liave caught cod-fish upon the banks of our own coasts, and dry them upon our own shores, for the supply of our West- Indian settlements ; ^vhilst the fish caught aifcd cured by our own colonists, were spoiling in our merchants warehouses ybr wa72t of a market. — We should not have secured to them the sup- plying of our West-Indian settlements with lumber, whilst that article was to be had in abundance in our own colonies, and our own ships rotting in port for want of employment. — Neither should we have charged a lower duty upon their produce, imported into this country, than what we charged upon the produce o( other foreign nations, whilst they never char- ged lower, but in many instances higher, duties upon our produce and manufactures than they charged upon those of ether nations ; nor have ii \ I'ii 1 ■; J 1< 1 1,', til*- r 1 ' 1 li "1 1 i ■ ,:< ". ■•15 ih , •i .1 I S '1 ' ; ■> :i ??«0 IMPORTANCE OF THE iiieanlv submitted to their charge of a counter- vailing duty of £'3 per ton in favour oj their ships, whilst we charged onlj^ 22d. per ton in favour of' ours. The inhabitants of tlie United States — those colonists who rebelled againr't the mother-coun- try, as well in the treaty which acknowledged their independence, as in all subsequent trea- ties, have in all our commercial arrangements with them, had not only the greatest advantages allowed them, over the *' most favoured na- tions," but even been put upon a more favoura- ble footing than our own colonists, — a more favourable footing than the true and faithful inhabitants of these provinces, whose blood and treasure were, and are at this very moment, cheerfully sacrificed to the salvation of these colonies to the Biitish nation. It would have been comparatively well for our loyal colonists, had they been put upon an equally favourable footing as the Americans. For, it will be observed, from what has been already stated, that we allowed the latter to impo t their produce into Great Britain, in their own ships, at nearly the same rate of duties as was charged upon that from our own rolonies, and also k('pt the ports of our "West- unter- ^ their ton in -those •-coun- ledged it trea- enients Ullages ed iia- avoura- a more faithful blood omeiit, f these -ell for Ipon an ?ricans. IS been itter to lin, in Irate of liir own West- BRITISH AMF.RirAN COLONIES. 281 Indian islands almost constantly open to them as a market, where no duty was charged upon their produce, thereby allowing them, although foreigners, the rights of British colonists. These unprecedented advantages, coupled with the privileges which their independence as a nation gave them of trading, I may say, to all the ports of the world besides, secured to them an uniform demand for their produce, and employment to their ships, thereby at all times encouraging the growth and exportation of their produce. It is therefore evident that from our govern- ment having neither allowed our colonists to trade to foreign ports, nor protected their in- terests according to the established laws of the land, by an adequate difference of duties in their trade with herself, the British market being over-stocked with importations from the United States must have proved tenfold more discouraging to the British colonists than to the Americans. Had American produce been liable to the same duties as the produce of other foreign countries, in that case, the difference of those payable upon the produce of the United States, and those payable upon that of the British a :i i] ,1 '■f ^i I it '; I, {': ill i ,L 'f f •■ — ■« <% r ■ 1 i\ i; H .:? • t a»2 IMPORTANfE OF THK proviiici*M, would have given our colonists sucli advantaji^es, — such fair, JuhI, and equitable ad- vantages, as would have balanced tliose which the Americans derived from their connnerciul intercourse with ports, from which tlie British colonists were excluded. Had this been tin? case, at this very period these provinces would have had a population double to that which they have at present, and would have been more than sufficient to supply the mothrr-counlry and her West-Indian colonies with lumber, p^rain, flour, fish, &c.: at this period, the Amt*- rican shipping", compared with what it is now, would have been small, and the amount of Bri- tish ship|)ing proporlionably greater, with am- ple employment. In fact, in every instance so completely have the Americans been our superiors at negotia^ tion, that the result of all our treaties with them, and of all our commercial arrangements in which they were concerned, have amounted either to the robbery of the British provinces of their legitimate rights and privileges, or a sacrifice of our shipi>ing-inleresl, and indeed, in most instances, to both.* Sec Chap. III. BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 383 Reciprocity of iiitcrest has been uniformly imderdtood to hv nn axiom, in tlie negotiation of all treatief4, and, const^nently, might have been reasonably looked for in tlio«e we entered into with America ; but there we look for it in vain : — instead of reciprocity, we find, from what has been advanced, nothing but the grossest partiality and the most unjust advan- tages granted the Amerif^ans. The advantage which they had over us, in respect to the expense of navigating their ships, being unattended to by us, as already observed, operated as a powerful auxiliary in giving effect to the direct advantages we allow- ed them, and indeed almost entirely excluded ourii from any participation of the carriage of their produce in general. But, in respect to lumber in particular, this disability brought with it consequences, which were, in the ex- MgpGy destructive of our interests ; namely, by preventing the shipment of lumber from the British provinces, where our ships would, without being rivalled, have earned the whole freights. For the 28^. per ton against our ships, as stated in No. 5, with only about \s, lOd. per ton, countervailing duty, as stated in No. 3, to i ! It; '■V 1 ' if it r' . i "I \\ i! M '^' /Ji I 1 f^ ^5 f i' ? i? ^ !^: ^ii I ' i*j i Hi ill! !;|H ? i U i'l: I Ujrf j w I'l ! 1 2bi IMPORTANCE OP THK balance it, actually shews 26^. 2d. per ton in favour of the American ships : having identi- cally the same effect as a countervailing duty charged by the British government, upon tim- ber imported from the British provinces, in favour of the importation of that article from the United States. I do not urge that this great value and ac- cumulated expense of navigating our ships was, abstractedly considered, any disadvantages which we brought upon ourselves, or, that it is one that we could have directly removed : but, I say it ought to have been so attended to, as lo have put us upon the alert to prevent other circumstances from coming to its aid, to the injury of our shipping. Had not the inhabitants of the British pro- vinces possessed a soil far superior to that of the United States, and, therefore, proportion- ably a superior quality of timber, from jj^e comparatively high freights occasioned by me great expense of our ships, they could have made no exports of that article, whilst this commercial regulation or absurdity existed, which admitted United-States timber at a re- duced duty. This providential circumstance, ■ ) ■> BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 285 however, — the accidental superiority of their lumber, procured them a small share of this trade, notwithstanding the powerful operation of this expense of navigating their ships, aided by the low duty we charged in favour of the United States. In whatever lidit we view the numerous and enormous advantages allowed the Ameri- cans, they will be found to be downright con- cessions and sacrifices; for we could not be said to have had, in any single instance, even the shadow of an equivalent. The principal advantage which we have been said to derive from our commercial deal- ings with America, has been the demand she afforded us for our manufactures. But, in this respect, did she give us a preference ? No ; her market was open to the manufactures of other countries as well as to ours, and the same du- ties charged upon ours as upon those from other countries. Indeed, for several years past, it has been matter of deep concern to those Britons who derive the smallest pleasure from reflecting upon our former naval superiority, -^who are in- spired with the least spark of zeal for our fu- ' ,u i;l i ii.' I.} :'; -in t . •i }'i ■' 'V ' .U '>' 1^' '■i. t ■1 ■ ' ' r'i ^ 1 *.' ■• ■ '■ V:i ;v.) ' ;5 It t' ■ \ \ 2B6 rMPORTANCE OF TWE lure giteatncss and independence, ito have seen, •previous ;to our present differences with Ame- rica, our shifts iying rottin^^ in port, — ovir mer- ichaiit .dock-yards ail dwindling to decay, and many of them even deserted, and our ship- wrights and sailors sent, by our impolitic pro- ceedings, to America to build and man the shipping c^' the United States, for which our government had so liberally provided employ- ment, — sent .there in furtherance of the scheme which may be truly said to have been founded by American wisdom, foresight, artifice, and low cunning, upon British imbecility and pusil- lanimity, far turning over the British shipping to t lie United States, And to what do we owe the temporary rcheck, which has been put to these pro- iCeedin^jS ; for it is still a question, whether or not it may be rendered pennanent ? Why ; more to the pampered temper, hatred, a»d ilUhu- mour, of this spoiled child than to our own wisdom or fori.sjght. - The Americans having already gaiued every point they disputed with us, became impatientfor immediate possession of the source ii'om whence w.e derived our maritime superiority. Con^i- BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 287 tiering as too tardy the means by which we w^re ill effect yielding them up the trident, and encou- rageil to attempt wresting, by force, what our government was systematically granting by mean concession, they have thereby saved it to the British nation for the present. — They have, indeed, in this ins^tance, afforded a pause for surveying and reflecting upon past occur- rences, that I sincerely hope will teach us the necessity of proceeding with caution in all our future negotiations and transactions witli them, which is my sole motive, (and, indeed, a very important one,) for bringing these past trans- actions under review. However, notwithstanding these bonuses, generously granted by oiii* government to the United States, had so far exceeded the bounds of prudence, as not only to lose sight oi that of reciprocity, but actually to place our merchant- shipping upon the verge of ruin, and, conse- quently, our navy and nation at large in jeo- pardy; yet, the Briti h nation in general, not only countenanced ministers in these sacrifices, but appeared still inclined, and did» all along) urge them on to further concessions. It therefore appears, that all ranks of so- ciety in this country had, with on? consent. ■ft". i I !■ I Vf w I' • ■ f I' i I • w l(. . r -r — 'yms It."' U' r;^ ,a»:i (4 > !'. i !,■' M 28a IMPORTANCE OF THE S£ agreed to comply with the unreasonable de- mands of America; and, indeed, all in their turn have lent their aid or shewn their good- will in furtherance of the enormous encroach- ments of the government of the United States. Indeed, upon every occasion the country in general appeared disposed to out-strip govern- ment in ^.idking sacrifices to America. For, when our ministers, having at last become sensi- ble of the impohcy of further concessions, began to make a stand, appearing inclined to retract where it could be consistently done, they were, in these laudable exertions, opposed and as- sailed by clamorous parties of various descrip- tions, both in and out of parliament. This was particularly the case of late, when they endeavoured, and, indeed much to their credit, persevered in asserting the established mari- time laws of Europe, — laws, which had so much contributed to the high rank which we hold amongst other nations, — laws, the rigio observance of which, is indispensably neces- sary to the support of this elevated situation, and, consequently, essential to the very exis- tence of our independence. ^ It is proper here to remark, that, from the facts which have been stated, the principal BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 289 sacrifices were commenced immediately after the American war, and were made with the greatest liberality up to the commercial treaty into which that government frightened us in the year 1794. At the commencement of the restrictions which the Americans imposed upon their com- mercial intercourse with this country, the sa- crifice of the commercial, shipping, and colo- nial interests of Great Britain had actually become so notorious, as has been already stated, as was sufficient to induce a belief, that the British government, in their commercial arrangements with the Americans, liad no con- cern for the interests of this country. These foreigners had the ports of our colonies kept open to them against the wise laws of our ancestors, and contrary to the example and sound policy of other nations ; — they were en- couraged to supply our settlements in the West Indies with fish* and lumber, when the fishe- * The demand for fish in our West-Indian settlements, upon an average of three years, ending 1807, was 456,221 cwts. 97,486 of which was furnished by the mother-country, leaving 358,735 cwt. which should have been supplied from our own American fisheries. But, strange and unaccount- able as it may appear, although our own fisheries produced U V I. I '•1: If ■ 1 II '5fi, t I ;; \ I ii If 'i . I ■i.^ ,1' Hi ^. tl i ?! ^"li-n a mi', )• ilf' ; • i . ft I. ■. ' 1 i I I: i it- >i 'I f I i^ if I i--i 290 IMPORTANCE OF THE ries and timber-trade of our own colonies were in the most depressed state; — they were en- couraged to trade to our settlements in the Mediterranean, and to oar Asiatic establish- ments, and, in particular, to supply these with masts and spars, as well as every other kind of lumber, whilst British colonists were, and are to this very moment, excluded these pri- vileges ; at least with the trifling exception of some few ports in the Mediterranean, wherein they have lately been allowed the great privi- lege of coming in competition with these foreign- ers in a trade, which, according to the laws of the land, ought to have bsen altogether sacred to British subjects. And, moreover, they have been allowed upwards of three thousand per cent. advantage ov our ship-owners in the counter- vailing duty charged by them and us, respective- ly, besides their produce being admitted into 817,351 cwt. and, from their discouraged slate, were ca- pable of the greatest improvement ; yet the British govern- ment encouraged the Americans to supply 188,125 cwt. of this 358,735, whilst, from their impolitic measures, they so cramped this valuable branch of trade from our American colonies, that only 170,010 was supplied from our own fish- eries in that quarter.— See No. 18, in the Appendix. • ll i' BRITISH AMERICAN COLONIES. 291 ies were vere en- in the stablisli- ese with ler kind are, and lese pri- ?ption of wherein at privi" I foreign- p laws of sacred ley have percent, counter- pective- ed into were ca- sh govern- 25cwt. of s, they so American own fish- X. this country at a lower duty than that charged upon other foreign produce, to the great discou- ragement of our colonial and shipping interests ; whereas, they allowed us no advantage over other foreigners, but, on the contrary, singled us out for many insults and disadvantages. These enormous, these unaccountable and dig- graceful sacrifices were continued to the Ame* ricans, as long as their insufferable ambition and hostile disposition, engendered by our pusilanimity, would allow the enjoyment of them. It is notorious that -a reformation of the abuses which existed in the management of our maritime and commercial concerns with America, previous to the commencement oi the present war vf\\h that country, was highly necessary. This circumstance should there- fore be duly attended to, in any negotiation into which we enter with that country. Re- garding the footing upon which we stoo0,000,000, whilst the vast patronage necessarily attache'! to colonies of so great a population and extensive territory, certainly render their importance very conspicuous : but, in point of real worth to the nation, they fall infinitely short of our American colonies. For, it will be observed, and it is worthy of remark, that these Asiatic possessions only employ an- nually, in their exports to this country, about 40,000 tons of shipping ; whilst our American colonies^ in their exports, employ upwards of 300,000 tons. In 1810, the imports, from our East-Indian colonies, amounted only to about ^.3,000,000, while the imports from our American colonies amounted to upwards of that amount, with the |! ll' \' I ^y \ i h 1 III ii V//J li •' I' Il 298 IMPORTANCE OF THE ■■\t j ■ J , ft! ■ 1 1 ';! ^:i^l .; U:\i 1 1 (>:' most flattering prospect of encrease.* Of these respective imports, too, the freight upon those im- ported from the East-indies amounted only to about jg 1,200,000, whilst, of those imported from our American provinces, upwards of ^2,500,000 was composed of the earnings of British ships, — the most valuable species of British commercial revenue. Regarding, more-, over, ihi'«e imports, which in point of value appear nearly of an equal amount, it may b observed, that four or five ships, manned with a few enervated foreigners, who must, imder a heavy penalty, be returned to their native country, are sufficient to import Asiatic produce and manufactures to the amount of a million sterling; whilst to import of the produce of our American colonies to that amount an immense fleet, manned with several thousand of the hardies I seamen (our own countrymen) must be employed. * See Nos. 11 and 12. J ! APPENDIX. li !l I •> n i n' !!,■ II t»f lib i I ;J0(> Ai'rr:Ni>i\ u « '^ ;i 1^ t V fc •r H ai C -3 1 JCI « s ^ >rj 4.' < J3 -^ — 4' .— C no t; ■ ■' ■ OA l> cij^ 00 iq CO «-4 CI Ol » 00 «> "C C cji HA ^ !i l ^ .. ■ ^ T . 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Ql "* -■ -I* <5 Cl .-M .fl u: as 03 E -o c (0 a 2 > > tt It r3 c « m ■c u I V U4 «l ^ fO o M a. y o J- c C V c It bO ti O 3 L.S5-~ '■^^ =" 5:.E 3- 3° 3 :St/:c«a<<5i-iSHt«c):P'^P4S:o' c »» « c ^ e " « " ► s * -°« ^ < »• 1 ] 1 r' ■• CO ro 1* »1« iri i»^ fa », 1 '0 Ti rj) o »H >0 >^ 1 "7 5 ■ If- ic f.f ^*^ 1 t4 i». ■:^ ^ -f 'C 'O ^- 'D •«»* _ ..— S?3 Oi 3 O 3 APPF.NOIX ■snr ••■4 (-• "f^ "trrr o> >r) ■Z> ''■' 't> "> "' w ' r* '0 Tt -)» ^ ?rr \'ii:^ '1 f}i f -^1 N OI U 5^t C' '.T) 1» t-« 'J I --^ !0 C '-T3 « I 4 - -< -1< II ' I Tl CO -t' J^ CO • - >» ¥ "J! " t';'?; ^?. -5 '5 ^ '■'% •S, "^ '''Ti 9» OI r^ ^ .-4 ^ IX) -f ''i, I. rn""^ ■ r, 'O ■■!> M I'l >-< -< I- 'r O »• Q} »H 00 ■■?> ■Tn irj -J, 31 rt S'nj \r) ^ ■Ji so •- W f) 00 ~> -r o -p •}• a. I" O 10 in o O •-< 'O ' 9 'P '-' CO 95 '^o o go ig t- ■>» CO ';5 J» N 7> 'O -io O 00 O' I- K 'O t- «0 •>» CO 'JO *'•, 'Si ''1 '^l "1; "i "i P, 'i '*1 •"• oT 'O ^? -"f 'd 00 "? 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M '•24 i\ n 1 ! 1. 304 APPENDIX. I ti i m « 't i ''' Vi ! M M ■«« ■* ^s .^ o o o o o OO 1(0 o o o O -r. 1(0 ©* >n i r^ iH ^ 1H -^ r* M * •« V e* C rH >« § ^ ^ •» CO '^ o o «0 "<»• TH Vp 00 ic o> CO to t « of in .9 ti ▼^ «" CTi (N g O 9» O 6 o o to o o o o o o « ^ 4) ■». M 3*0 O O o o o o r- »n lO N •S «T r* »-l T^ i-« rH •s CijO O 9) t4 o UO s o o n ^ o. t- >o >r t. V <0 t^ 1.0 ^ TH ■ 55 o *.■ 2-f K CO C 0» CO tH Tf ro (O CO 'O 1 ®J d CO »C Q 1 -J CO TH to CO 1 a> iC Q t^ Tf C^t* < M s^ CO ,H »-< ' C8 i£ ■ei o o o o ■ o " "o ^o"o d o c c o o «o <* (^ « 1 V4 o lo o o o Ci lO 3^ "0 O O "'. ^ >r> tH U •5 o 3 O -0 CO CO ^ t (M uo •<}• oo r<* CO -< o tH > <*1 .'O N -f ec o •O "O CO CO CO CO so O {- o5 ^ 3J -< 0-^ -N 1 f>r ifj rf O. C7> >q_ 0> 1*5 Tt TH ■ • ■2 • I 1 > «0 ;« ■^ U 3 ot 00 ■* o> ^^ t «^ -< " c •-0 O -f t* Tf g N. Ol Tj. 9.Tf <0»0 O' N. CO 'O CO -?» ?^ »< CO r^ vH to S+ "^ -^ T-" th t* <0 -f 0^ »1S «-• OI o < CO -* 1) •* c; CO §;i: 1 / . ,-,^ V X ^*^ 00 c »* o> Tf ■O '*< Tf M O CO N. C^ Tf Q H £ *>. « ir. CO CO 'O T- O, Is o 0» Tf to lO 'I 0* CO »^ . o C t- tOTj. 00 s^ 2 03 ' "^ TH rl Q ^^ w c o — •«-> CO CX3 c/> 1 1 1 • 1 Ci C (H w ! 1 { 1 I 1 1 S 5 I— t 1 1 1 1 1 1 * ■ 1 1 ,c • 1 1 1 1 lilt > a; "33 Si O 1—1 ' 1 1 1 c^ 1 * 1 r^ 1 V 1 1 '5 o Q ■ •c ■ 1 t 1 1 1 1 till . , 1 « ' » « u 1 .:<: ^ S o ^ ■« •!•• ■ " 1 II ■r. m out?. a 4-' a < 1 1) 1 _ 1 I— 1 1 ■> e • 1 • ''- ■ "^ -S! C C9 5 nJ 5 n O C^ '=5 c/: J> V} c/ SSS? S3'* e fc J* N * « «! . -a u _ ' ' ' -Q^^ (ft ST ai ^--^i: ) ^, ^ "O * S. c u.-: ! -5 :§ i rt J £i IS S ' (1, <1 K H^ K H V3 If i 1 * "> 1 ■ 3 .S- 3 ® S £«2>2 it > W APPENDIX. 305 9> f> ". r- iQ *^ f^ . o o •4 •2 © !8 55 1,301 771 c © o vo > ir. ift If; 4 »H.1-I " in »fl ■< .H o o ■ • 1 • © © IN O ®4 CI t«. o "* »» c\ rf< 1 ■# " y -a: -^ a. ec CO i^ 4> C „ O *n ^ • Sob 23 en B '7iiONiJ0»'N©'OC>O)iJ«©©© »^ ^-< »-< 1-i f-^ ^4 ^H »>.©>-ti'0©©»<"fi»»>f5©Tf<0 7»'0 0©0 ©vo-'— 'O ir't-rjooc coe^rH *» '^o t» t^ 'o 3. ■^ ^ Ti eo M © f '.0 — 01 vo<«Owo::. ©c 30©ccc. 'O K X JN. 3^ 'O >0 c '-O ■>> ^ iC 'O h. rH lO OC ©C©©»H©©C ©©©©© c ^ *^ ^ ■,.^ o Q' a» CT> In fv. "f A ^ -N /" CO -^ •'■ 0-. a^ iC rf vo lO Ti 'O »-( CO «■( -< fH ~ .;•■'' G. r^ — 0» 'O ■n lo •>! -ii CO -< »i *^ -c '-o K — 1 .C M" lO »o Oj^ I I ?» C N o" 5^ Ot 11 T-< CO CO I 0<0<00©©0©C*©0©0^ c 3^ «■! 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M » to T- ■* t T- © >« CO 'O t- ^ 1 ,1^ ei »^ vo 'O a. r-l to © rf co" »r t- •0 e* 1 ;2^ Ti CO Oi -.0 CO CO fH Ci <0 0^ IJJ ^ • 0^ ' • • • n CO •«« o 1 e» ..a 1 NiCNt^. ^ n if> © coo CO 1 Cv*»rH© 0©© ,rt<,«00 if|0 'C 1 CO _2 *.. -/; Ji; 1 1 • -fl til 1; 1 4-* 1 1 iill CT> « CO 000 1 I < ,0 - do lbs 10 do 1 3 * CO «-. o< 7» . 1 G-i »^ 2 -f 1 1 ■ -J- '/^ o> CT> £0 liO *^ c 00 I ^. uj to eo 00 ^. <^i » "I 1 rt,-rtTHi-(coc» -f'jjco'-' 00 1 OS*; tH TH rf< GO 'O rM (S.J r-. ** 0» »1< •!» 1 a» t^ to Oi »^ w »^ t^ ■^ TH TH 1 ^» tH 'O (7) CO t^ CM ■Tti ■-+■ m o CO »q oil 0^ CO <0 a^ Hj" TH lo ■ CO 1 G< 'O » TjT a? CO 1 yH ' f.. rH »-• rH 1 1 1 ■c "m' CCOOOOO ooco 1 7-* ©"O'rO'fi CNOiO ,0.0©0 <£> 1 flj "■ rH T-1 tH iH ri TH 1 3 ^O © C~. 01 fH TH 00 11^ ■* •t IC ©» 1 • "rt 00 Tf< Q^ CO c^* 'to tj a> cr> »J t^ 'Ocnco-*T< o> oO Ni 1 o ■> TH CO TH !>< CO ■ •*« t 3« CO "O Th h <0 tH tH TH 3^ 1 3 3 4J ^ OJ t^ to 'C C» <0 <0 th tH 1 CO 1 'A UFXH CO TfCOOOTHTH (JJtH 1 I ISJ «s .^ n .% I ■ n 'j^ O^THOJ 1 1 03~iC. THCO-t-T-. OJOOTfCO *^ 1 CO^'fJCJl'DtOCO COCt-th t^ 1 Cr. S'. CO rH 1 C^j 1 1 -. ■ to '^ 'O IC 04 ^( TH 1^1 Tt ^i ' 1 »-4 1 Bushels Barrels Cwts. Bushels c. • Tierces Barrels Tierces Barrels Firkins nd Kegs Cwts. .•A r-t ;q ^ '^ ' ' « X ' w to d 1 1 1 ' 1 1 ' ' -^ <* • ^ 1 1 1 • . •v . . , , Barrc DFL P^ C^ rx: 1 . ' ' ' > '/T, > ' • . < 1 ' • 1 "V. 1 r/) r*. ^^ 1 f^ -1 a E • AllTlC Wheat F"lour Biscuit Peas - Beans Barley Indian Pork - Beef - Butter Lard - Ilenip Flax - > r> u '^ .r 1. • ^ 2 ^ :i d ?* ■ ;.: 1 1 oHa-;ui;Kj ■ 1 < E, .. tn r B. ■ L ■ II 9 oo 0« o o o T! 00 » * "*■ 5 ^ CO D O = . . -^ ri r^ CO 1 TH o o l-l o o o o o ^ 2 o CO ■-«• o O rH CO u r* 3 a rt >■ tn b- rt O ^rf C^ O r^ o o N Oi to 2 to "!(< O) oo ^ CO ^ »- CO "-I t-» -* «M ^-* to CO 00 «? c c o o :3 4^ Pu O H ® 8 <«. 3 O X) " £: c o o 6*2 i 3 1 o "O 50,994 16,998 ■o CO CO «1 O u C !»! = i< u I— « o t— 1 (>4 S i i a O (J T. M 35 o c o H o en M U P Q C e O : « . a > 3 .2 O Ml — 5 « - " « o t> J5 ■o ■* •- d « 'V 1.4 Ck£ en c 5 3 X 3 o « JO -3 c 2 "* 3 J3 "3 ■"■ J= 4» CO — w ta - « ^-^^ o S' o . S ^ -n 3 «> 3 •a -5» S "B — u ■- t, V. ^ 4) O ^■5 S .3 5!'^ -o -O J; 1" "J O If b«« C ^ £ n « CTl in « • 3 CT, aj u o _ t: o "5 3 ^ -O O 03 U '-' S -= 3 '« a - t; I o CO - '0 t- - CO ^ - ;• ¥r -O *— 1 ij ^ a, •3 '^ U V 2 5 O u y^ GO Si' 2 s -^ 3 en II - (^ >-> O Ul Cf» o d V o •1 '^ 0/ w tjf; X a; 2 « "H -r^ ■^ 3^.3 \;, •J '1 ■ii I It t M I M >}■ X 2 I 308 ATPRNDIX. "1 4 i i II" ; ■ i J. ; I,-., is '■f\U'M J.-".r,h OBSERVATIONS. Thorc apprars lo have boen I0,<)!)r> fens of goods, bosidos hiiabor, ^'xportod iVoin Qiirbrr in UMUl; iiik', oonsideriiigthat ships ji;»>n<'rally rairv about a ion and a half nieasurement- Uoods, per Ion n-gislcr nuasiufment, 7,1JJ4 tons register uere ihtircforc <(|ual to have ranied these articles ; and, therefore, of the :}:},!)!)<> re<,i^ter tirn;, cleared ont from this port, there must have remained 2G,B02 for lumber, as stated in the table. Reckoning a ton register capable of carrying 1 ' load, (equal to 1^ ton of 40 cubic feet,) it appears that the (juan- tity of lumber exported from Quebec, in 180(>, must have been about 32,2;M loads; being 40,293 tons of 40 cubic feet, as in the table. It appinirs, also, that the quantity of all kinds of goods, besides lumber, exported from Quebec, in lUlO, was about 15,549 tons ; and, considering that 10,300 register tons is e«|ual to have carried these goods, and that, in that year, there were 143,893 tons register-measurement cleared out from this port, 133 ^^27 must have been used in the carriage of lund)er, and consequently must have transported about 160,232 loads of that article ; being equal to 200,290 tons of 40 cubic feel, as in the table. The inrreasi, therefore, in the exports of lumber from the Canadas, in the space of these four yoars, was 128,008 loads, or, 160,001 tons of 40 cubic feet. ' In estimating the (|uantity of lumber exported from the lower ports of the British provinces, in 1806 and 1810, (as I am not in possession of the detailed particulars of the ex- ports made from these j)orts, having only the amount of the register toimage cleared out,) I shall, therefore, compute the quantity of lumber exported, by deducting an amount of tonnage computed to have been used in the exportation of articles other than lumber, equal to the quantity of tonnage employed in the carriage of such articles from ihe Cana- das, deducting, over-and-above that amount, 30,000 register- tons for the carriage of fish from Newioundland, viz. Register Ton. Cleared out from the lower ports in 1806 - 90,251 Deduct for the carriage of all goods ex- cept lumber, and fish exported from Newfoundland - 7,134 for fish from Newfoundland - 30,000* 37,134 Tons 53,117 • See No. 18. bcsidos irfineiit- register s ; and, roni I his as stated 1| load, he (juan- mst have 40 cubic )f goods, ,vas about r tons is liat year, nired out e carriage ted about 290 tons from the )08 loads, Vora the 810, (as I tlie ex- ult of the iipute the inounl of tatitm of tonnage he Cana- resjister- viz. egjster Ton. 90,251 •37,134 53,117 APPENDIX. 309 Thus it appears, that 53,117 tons legister-moasuronient, had been used in (he carriage of lu!iib«r, being e^juai to have carried «3,711 loads. Cleared out from the lower ports in IHIO - - - - 100,101 Deduct for the carriage of all goods other than lumber and fish exported from Newfoundland - . . 10,360 for the carriage of fish from New- foundland 30,000 40,360 Tons employed in the carriage of timber 125,735 This 125,735 tons, register-measurement, at 1^ load per tou is equal to have carried 150,882 loads. The following recapitulatory statement of these remarks, respecting lumber, exhibit an interesting view of the exports of that article from the British American provinces, viz.. Exports in 1800. 1810. J.oiids. iMuds. From the Canadas - 32,234 100,232 From the lower provinces, &c. - - - - 03,741 150,882 Loads 95,975 311,111 Lonrlx. Exports in 1810 311,114 Ditto in 1800 - 95,975 Increase in these four years 215,139 loads. OAK TIMBER. The quantity of oak tind>er exported from Quebec, in 1806, reckoning each piece 33| cubic feet, was 5,540 loads, and, in 1810, 22,520; the increase in these four years being 17,080 loads. GRAIN. The average quantity of wheat annually exported from Quebec, for eight years, ending 1810, (Hour and biscuit reck- oned into wheat and included), was 304,000 bushels: and, of other grain 20,483, making the gross exports of grain 330,483 bushels. It may be remarked, however, that the exports in 1801 were upwards of r,000,000 bushels. it V I i; ■I' i 'I I! I f ir h'J 310 APPENDIX. 11.(1. Value op the Exports from the whole op British North America, for five Years, ending in 1810. The value of exports from the Lower Provinces cunnot be so precisely ascertained as the value of those made from the Canadas. The exports from the Upper Provinces, beinjG; all, (except tiie small quantities exported from Gasp^ and St. Johns,) cleared out at the Custom-House of Quebec, ren- ders their value easily ascertained. In the absence, however, of othcial documents respecting particular details of the exports from the lower ports, as we have an official statement of the tonnage of the shipping cleared r>ut from t-hese, wc may from that circumstance form a tolerably correct estimate of tlu value of the goods ex- ported. As this amount of tonnage, after making a deduc- tion for the carriage of cod-fish from Newfoundland, con- siderably exceeds the tonnage cleared out from Quebec, it cannot be doubted that the value of the exports from these ports must liuve also exceeded the value of the exports made from Quebec, particularly as I have included the 226,603 cwt. of fish, exported from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Cape Breton : — In forming the following es- timate of the value, however, I shall only state them at an equal amount. Value exported from Quebec in 1806 - - - ot'551,570 Ditto from the Lower Ports, in the same year, estimated at---------- 551,570 Value of the Cod-fish exported from Newfound- land 354,448* Total value of exports from British North Ame- rica in 1806 c£l,457,588t "I Hi I Value exported from Quebec In 1807 - - - - 681,740 Ditto from the Lower Ports, in ti:e same year, estimated at 681,740 Value of cod-fish exported from tlie Lower Ports, estimated at 354,448* Total value of exports from British North Ame- rica in 1807 o£'l,717,928t * The exports of cod-fish Irom Newlouridland, upon au l • ,,e of the four years, ending 1808, was 590,748 cwt. which, at 12«. pCi cv/t. amounts to ^354,448. t These are exclusive of the exports to the United States by way of St. John's, and also of those made from Gasp6. British 1810. annot be from the [)einK all, ; and St. iec, ren- especting ts, as we shipping mce form [oods ex- a deduc- ed, con- uebec, it rom these e exports uded the )tia, New owing es- eni at an 551,570 551,570 554,448* 457,588t 681,740 681,740 354,448* 717,928t .>'.-r;^;e of pe» crt. by way of APPENDIX. nil Value exported from Quebec in IHOR - - -^1,000,000 Ditto from the Lower Ports, in the s:ime year, estimated at 1,(>00,(KK> Value of cotion of these pro- visos .-.---.-. 2,579,748 Ditto, for the Uuited-Sliitcs market, about - 3,000,000 Total amount of imports of Britisli manufac- tures, \c. made into our American pro- vinces in 1809 • 0^5,579,748 In 1810, for the consumption of these pro- vinces --- 2,r7iO,544 Ditto, for the United-Slates market, about - ?,000,000 Total amount of imports of British manufac- tures, &c. made into our American pro- vinces in 1810 £5,510,544 Value of the Imports made into Great Britain FROM British North America, for five Years, ENDING IN liJlO. A very correct slattment of the value of the imports from our Aineriian colouies may be made hy adding the amount of I he fiiciihis and oilier charj;es to the invoice value ol the goods, as follows : — To invoice value, or amount of the exports from British North America in 1806 - -£1,457,588 To freight, 124,247 register tons, at .i 8 each - 992,976 To sundry other charges,* atofl per ton '-----.-.- 124,247 1,117,223 Total value of our imports from British Ame- rica in 1806 X2,574,811 • I'reiiiiuiu of insurance, comnyssions, warchyuse and other rents and churj^cs. u : I, ! ,(< 1 i 1 It 11 A^ 1 314 APPENDIX. ! :i ?:' if k 4 ' ■■' i) i< To invoice valiw, or ainoiiiit of thr exports from British North Anurica in 1007 - - l,717,rv?8 To freight, 12J>,84G rogistcr tons, at £l\c ch - 1,03}^7(J8 To sun ly other charges, ato£l per Ion ----- 129,840 1,168,014 Total value of our imports from British Nortfi America in 1807 - - - o£'2,880,542 To invoice value, or amount of the exports from British. North America in 1808 - - 2,354,448 To freight, 189,573 register tons, at ^8 each ------- 1,510,584 To sundry other charges, at £l per ton - _ - - 189,573 1,700,157 Total value of our imports from British North America in 1808 - - ^^4,000,005 To invoice value, or amount of the exports from British N(»rth Anierica in 1809 - - 2,579,748 To freight, 230,504 register tons, at ci8each - - 1,892,512 To sundry other charges, atc£l per ton - 230,504 2,129,070 Total value of our imports from British North America in 1809 - - - ef 4,708,824 To invoice value, or amount of the exports from British North America in 1810 - - - 2,510,544 To freigiits, 309,994 register tons, at /8 each ------ 2,479,952 To sundry other charges, at £l per ton _ _ . - 309,994 2,789,946 Total value of our imports from British North America in 1810 .£5,300,490 APPENDIX. 315 :i 4 \ A considorable proportion of the cod-fisli, and a small pari of the other articles exported from these colonies, being shipped to our West-Indian settlements and foreign coun- tries, no doubt, make some small diminution of the value of our imports from these possestions, as stated above. The amount, however, of this diminution is not very consider- able ; and, indeed, upon taking a minute view of the sub- ject, these will hardly appear to be such in reality. For these in«lirect shipments, being carried by British ships, and the business transacted by British merchants, they are there- fore generally drawn for on Great Britain, and consequently the gross proceeds of the sales remitted also to this coun- try ; and such of those remittances as are from foreign coun- tries are generally made in foreign produce, which other- wise most probably would not have been imported. The freight, profit, &c. of these are therefore as net a gain to the British merchant ; and, of course, the transaction as advantageous to the nation in general as if the fish, flour, &c. had been brought to Great Britain and re-exported. Yea, under certain circumstances, it is infinitely more advan- tageous to both ; for, had the goods been brought to Great Britain, perhaps, from the accumulated expense, no profit might have resulted to the merchant, and consequently the public could have derived no permanent advantage from such a trade as, under these circumstances, it would of necessity have been relinquished. — See note to Nc>. 17. , ' ^ (i i I; ] 'J i^* 1 1| I I!-, .'i, nm Al'lM'NPlX. . i :» -.1 '! . I' ^4 _, 1 **9 HM-tri r- O 4-* O fee C3 1— < ^1 c o o o o o c o C "•-"'' -—■-•■- -- -^ c c» o o 0. CO . o a» c ■:: C h"^ K\\ !.» d; tH rt tri- ;/; •* -1 o ■11 r-l tH O VH O C' c c U) .. '^ o x S T 3 — y o "^ o o o o o o o o •*! . , f 1) -tj ^i y. ^ •4 iIO o in o -«. O o o * .-3 • ' ^ L* r-l _c G -C C *« 1 ,^i t. S^ C-— (C'-< O--* i-ith c M -V . ' Tj >43 'c c. -f- -f c 'o 'o '*< o o »- - S .. "' -; »H r- c '.') ''.'> a> »-<»-< oi cc 03 o -c ^■S^ ^"^ ^-i "*]! oo — ooc ocrH oo^ < P -4 - „ ^ - . — . ^. .. ^ - --. k^.^ ,_.. - .» ^- .^ _, . — - c; -^ — —_-. -- '-■ "' ■•———— — •■' a — C ^-7 S 1 t:^' e-^ . . . . . 3 ' • ' ' ■^ " 1 , . . 6 e ■■' 1 -u ,« 6 o w - 1 — y : 213 c ■o - 6 o c c 1 -a c: •5_ jO .11' ,_ , . 1 • ^ • ' ■ ' I/) , ' .9 o- l-r ~ ITJ ■ 1 1 1 < 1 1 1 > ' i .:.'! P ^ . , . ■ 3 11,1 . Hr.;5 1 : ^ ^ I, .... rH ' ."-^ 5 3 "^ 5 o , . . , 1 'C 1 'i> o N -^ c = C, 1 1 1 1 ' CJ 1 k- 1 '^ ^ 1 ^ < • ') ji ' ' •Z-t 'f^ • ^ m < S 5 ^ 1 : : : ; 1 i) m > J ;; ■ ■ 1 ^ 1/) 1 t/'J r^ ''II ' 1 ' ' .- CJ o ^ ! '^ 'c 5^ '^ '3 < •4) ,~ Q. . , - . ^ t— ' O V) 1— ' C I) s ;^ ^ 2 U III ' y ^, •- "O ^, '^ C - j; w-0 "C ^ — S U I 1 < O O 3 o o c w a: X - c ^ s £ 1 -5 TT i «.; S ' -s <^ 60 c ^ k a — ,^ * P ► ^ * ^ i iJ^II- , c ^ . --■ ^ ■-. -" -n: ij 3 i> .2 a: ^1 -3 '-I »^ C S p w'M 'ji o ►" *"** * Zm "*" 1 c c c ''•' J= H "" t- —, G o 5j c Ui 5i 3. o. rH .1*2' a. ^ 1 k^ •~ 1 . « r/' ^^ *" *»• o 03 ■ < 1 Uri *6 \ \f. i \ ^ r ■ i.. 1 i ■k ■■■■■■i ,nT fr:' r- O tH o o o o o 0> CO O a. -H O y O c o o o — - ■— — f.'^ o K a> •*< o o o O r^ i-c »H 1-4 r^ ' C r-t O O >H O O -C .'V c o -o -a M " n r) 6 o 5 ^- 1) •- T3 6 e a. o 3 a a nJ l« l-J o ■zw E S o o fl s 03 'ft o 'O CO 'O o o o <5( .-4 o ♦f 'O o o »fi ■* •£) 'O O O O O 'O 00 CO © © riJ tl iH rH ',0 ooocooooc 3 Xl O -c — -C o O' li- 03 6 i^ O •-• O * '■J c o O o J! APPENDIX. CO t^ n -< I- '/; a CI CI r3 c: 2 5 a; =r a 3.2 o 5 O' u ^ a .2 ^ -*— ' '— ' a V — /■; I ~ 3 ^f 1- h 93 k^ ■/J 3 ■ a, ii a •3 o p..^ s ''• ^ - i s .c .= J? •? = 3 .S ,c: .1; LJ a., i <5 2 ■" ■" ■^ '^ ^■■. '5 — ■/■' '- fC ^ .£ '^ ^ -c d o o c c O C I* ■- — *^ *"■ "^ -■ j; s s ~ u .a 2 r: .-3 ■»-' -i .J . 3 2 i ^^ -rj '/J ^ 0./ = G "^ 2 *< a ■I' CI.-S a O O o a * o W-r *' — •- rj c -> i, 73 ^ r ■/■ «( ■/' ^ r« +- i; 1* CC •"* T* "^■^ ! I—' __• "^ r 5 "^ •*- -0 = 5 -i 5 '^ ~-'^. " '6 ■- r ^ s a. ■73 a tr t-i « '*^ '-'^ — **" "^ Z^ ^^ =^ 317 ^ C ^ V *- S -ri Cu ./, O I' . 3 br 7^ o K E ^ "^ r* 9 ~ •^ I ^ - a -s -r '' .1, ** 0./ It, j_i H-' — *- ^ ^ U) o 3 .2 js ^'' iS 7S 2i ^ = - a -— 73 o- Q; a 3 *" « ^- - ■A, i^ ■ - a > a- 3^ _ -^ '/- ■:5 i 'i! ^ i2 c V . a f/, -r >- "« o 15 '~. ^ aj - ' ^ y a .Si ^ I- 4- = z «5 ; = i i c =i ^. -^ : i ! I ■J '■' v» t», n * •M .c; ° r, f a 'i!' I 3 x: --•■ V ^' O TJ ^ ,c ,. -^ n ^ll V ra o X) •-• . ■■* 2 .3 ^ f- =^ r. ?^ 2 ►'"?'? ;^ 3 ^ t,() -o -J • V •3 .--: :^ x: o ? ^ •-• * l-^ £^ :^ 5-5 3 ^ Xi — f^ ^ ? <^ Ji •<3 I- ^ "2 1; ^ -p •- -J ™ .K :« ^ ••-!:; I- ■•. J= « i " "^ i= " -'^ *-* If — '3 ;.. . cj J3 ^' >. ■^ U C tl -t; K o c"- -, '-* ci S - s 2 ■: >.§■- X 5 ~ Ji ^ > » o ^ *" = 013 rt '•' = = ^ : o 2 i 3 H - ^ i tr^ - -J — ^ _3 - « £, - ^5 I-/ 3 — .^ _a 5^ a' - o 'f = *^-a *- L> -^ ■ Z^ '*^ 3 Ll- — <-• ^ : f I- .,11 !!!, '. ■ 138 APPENDIX. i I, ■!:■ ■M j; U 1^ ^ J3 g m o s o ns a; at u x UD •SJ s C C is aj ^ ■- 1 ■*-' en s o c H o a CO ^a •« O C5 O O O O O ■},),■) ^ ^ifinD Of JO 'UO) v» Vi O O 3 •^' CO O 51 ,iad iC4ii(j^ aui|iBAja4imo3 V ^ **» 'O W « <0 3< O »^ -c a - o nto ecti O 6C t s • o o o o a> o o 1 — *j "* >> T3 J3 U E « c • to •O O O O » CO o iia. d^ o o -J impor r the 2 .fl ■^ I CS 10 'O C^ Ol 'O 1 D CO CO ^O -H ,4 '- ■.a o iS £-3 ^ = £ "!3 o o o o c c o V _ ca . ;i-^ " :5 o<-/5 S. •0 © C C © -J* © o ipal Art y charg T3 " 3 q linpor ! United j Sh ■^ ■c-= c q.iGajo iioj^ V. JO ^.s 4ju3 aniBApaiBHinsg S! c © o o ' ' o -— c o o o o upon itervai 'on. "" lO CO CO ^ r< 00 Q. > •sdiqc; i|snu^f • K+t w|c>_i,CO m|M CO T-i th 'o 5( a> 0 a. " S ^ c tir paiJodnij -^ i-t rH —( T-l tH •sdiqs MtN pril, 1 at the nts to ■f.su a sams P'^M'iQ CN © © 'O ©) O i-O tH TI i-i T-( OS r^ ■^ UI pavioHiuj T-» , 1 . ^ o 1 "-4-1 "^ (- 2 e, after the 1st o n ; shewing also rican Shipping aii 1. -c s of coa or linen i ils, and v n, and pe J 3 • 5- Ol , ^ = ' ' - a. ayabi Britai A me o m o u , u , 2 -5 — sa. a- o * , ±» -"^ -^ "ti -a u O , ' TS M r. D 4; ^^ -a red g or ol es rea ss, loc f iron 3 rh ® % 1 ■* Q - jx 5 ^ . ^ -a => of the J es from ragemen o to w d, or cole or of bot ealue - , and clot ttel, or bi ACTURES 1 i A List Stat COU N H staine linen, chief Cloths Iron, s Manuf \:»il^ , M to ■2 2 J o ►f ;(J0 o o o o o O O ^' 00 O « to 3< O »^ o o o> o o O O so 00 o fjfj 'O 60 lO •I t^ I c c c c o ; C O -J* O O O (O 1*3 O O o o © 6- ^O »C ■* 1H o o CO O -fS ©» o »r c -. CO 5 O O »- o> •<* 5 rr, to r- T-l 5 C O o 5 O O o 5 O O o 5 O O o CO ■* T^ _ Witt, 1,03 wW -1 T-t 'O lo ■ ■( rH 1-1 r1 tH ; o -n c ^> o ^ -» ri iH CO T* yl ' U, . 1 1 0* aJ a % ' ,<-)>- - o , > 0) u ;^ 1 a. 1) t) • "^ _r a. a. . ' S '2 ' '. S , t« .N ' := d 1 03 tT u ' . Su ' o ?, ' ^ " t en ., >J S a .S - - «' >%« -s 3 -i< " " y a • ! i ' s <« , ciO 2 -^ w ^ o * 3 i- ' ■ -o • 1 =* 1/ o 1 * » [„ 1 V .. 2 - D - z z 50 « 3 S ►J o <0 (O © © O w c o> 'H -^ »» CO <0 !J« in © © o © © © © © © lO i/J o © © © © CO <0 "O M i .j: 0) ui s ,£} ■*-» 11 a. S i « --^ g !• i: o cc ^ '^ , — li. to -. - H 09 >: '" z ^ >- ■ E rt 1* fl J <2 i~ 0/ Wl Ci O '■" •-2 =^ y = - ■< Zj I- O U '^ Ph CA Q c O APPENDIX. CO u -a i-^ ^ 0) o -a s o o \ .a — o So o - re re hi ha s e o o V - g q ^ re •— i^ -a /. rt a; - 3 0^ -5 ^ - J C, o ^ -a ^ -C •■? a, V 1^ is 5 '- §f .S-? *^^ *''' ^ "1 " _ - ^ "S c t^~ '^ o S re wi ^- •• H- 5J C; t^ l/^CCl 4) ^ •;: r-t .S 'sj =ia 2 a, a -j: "re ^ rt rt •>+- < ^ w a -M ® '*. a 6p 55 rt J- O "J .S Z % o W5 ^ a; ^ a -^ fi a -1 ® ►-^ ^ a, I t/) -= . ^ • c/} re -g .0; "o 3 "S ■^ -^ "* « .Si -rt i ^ a ^ -T-a .a .M •- .-a a 'S re o ^ o =« a .^. v e- o *- — -— re -' _ ..a a -- a o a. -J cr a o o -^ fj <^ • 0; S a jj 2 1- .-^ -'J a., o a tn)*^ 2i 's a 2 a ^ ctf T,"-^ a r ^ r — a :«" ^" -a ^ ^ — . rj .^ a sn 2'^ +(1 *-— - a o B.a-~ i. c;.si'r;^*J fa. a, c re '^ -— -^ /- -' -. O re-- t 2 O a. > sfc -^ ^ S- a a; re u- a k -^ ^ ^ o CD ~ "3 "^ ' -' >'*- re.o ij s re ■"■ a oj . :/: •- .> a - = a .-J fa! w.-r c '-^ re re 319 Si -- o, b- 3 s * «t O y w 2 a* w « " tf» -, B «* 2 § 4* cavt w ? ^^ S m C3 O T3 •- — 03 ^ 60 O o c: °" •£ <- 2 "« ^ 60 ..s ^ — C k! ^ O - R» t: s-a il S ► •• = J5 2 ■" >» ^ - "• § .T i> >^ § « tl « — j: wi a a> a a. p o _o "■ y rt so i i ! , . o ■■ c -^ S a; ;^i^ c* j2 - p^ S i 1/ cs — ^ .y nt>i:iiii Ship, .')()() I'oiis, luiicd at i7,'J00, Ininjr _J_ 'JO pn- Ton. Dr. To provisions and expenses in fitting out for the voyage, taking in tlu cargo, and all charges u|) to the period of the si.ipN sailing, — expenses at the port of delivery in Cireat Britain, — and also all charges and exjwnses which she nuiy incur, up to the period of her being safely moored in tiie .Anu. rican port where she took in her cargo, (except preiniuni of insurance and sailors' wages To preiuinm of insurance upon Jt^OOO, at 4 per cent, - - To sailors' wages, viz. master J.1Q; UKite ^7; fifteen men at ^4 each ; and two men at f'j. 13: 4 each per njoiiih, for six months - - - To inleiesf of capital, profit, acoMi|ionsation for manage- ment, wcar-and-tear, &c. ?() per cent, jicr am,, upon the ship valued at ^7200 - . - 850 360 500 720 Cr. By amount offreight, at 2430 ^7 : 7 per ton register or ^4 : 1 3 |)er ton niea- suremcnl,(40c ton niea- i ubic feet) ) .£2430 N. B. Considering that merchant-sl ips, particularly (jf tlie dimensions above-mentioned, or uinvards, generally carry not less than a ton and an half of goods by measure per register ton, this loss of ,^756, which tlie Hritisli ship incurs is therefore equal to ^2 : 2 per ton, registe- mea- surement ; — ^1 : 15 per load, of 50 cubic feet ; — or ^1 : 8 per ton of measurement goods * * The disproportion between-liritis^h built .ships and ships built in the Baltic is much more in favour of the ialler, ^.5 J'O APPENDIX 321 r ! ) n H 322 APPENDIX. c o o a 3 <^ o a M > CO .s V) .&* Is < -a a a SB CA (4 CQ W en Ji en > 4-1 u V O. in 0) o e S R 1-1 oo oo ^o o> ©J (N r^ ■* TH c » 00 t« w H o M H «> e o a o > ti £•■5 m M U > o u .« I 1-1 M -a a o H 0) 3 O l^»4 o .2 2 £•■5 D 3 ^ 3 PhhJ M < « H H •« I.. o « i s £ H u S «« £ § " £ 5-5 eu.2 - .5 3 2 £ 1) o o 3 a o S ^ 2 t/3 >^ V2 en ^ b^ Ts -a s a ee a) I O a 3 <« -9 o o *' q 2 ^ Q. ™ o ? ,c « s 2 " 4, .«=:.« -3 4( « !: "^ i ^-^ i ^ g = '^ "^ *" 2 o - o <2 5 -2 '=^ a o « u > s o > ^ en « «; « - 'S tJC-C " ^ 5 a.2 o •> «. " cs jj S g o 4^ O J= S a ca -. « — J. C ^5 w = -3 (U "-• t '-' *- 3 U - Sf; s o - tr s — /. 5 « t ^ >■. i> ■ •^ ^ ^ c .t; ^ 5 l> •— tr .r o 3 ^•- ^ 3 J I APPENDIX. 323 No. 7. Tlie Number of Merchunt Ships, wiUi the Amount of their Tonnage, annually built in Great Britain, for the lastTwcnty- Hve Years, with an Estimate of the Quantity of Oak Timber used in the United Kin^jdom, for Maritime Purposes. Yeur. Ships. 1789 on 1790 h77 1791 ^"M 179ii; 6M 17 3 (5.5 S* 1794 555 1795 540 1796 6'J8 1797 030 Tomiagf 5B,0'.'7 57,137 58,760 66,9.) I 65,583 55,600 6S,^J35 84,9'J8 78,'J50 Average A- ^ mount ot tuns / annually built \ 63,38.5 for the 9 vears i ending 1797. J Y«ar. 1798 1799 1800 1801 1 8()'2 1H03 1804 1805 Ships. 702 689 mh 918 1,05(1 1,194 778 718 Tonnage 79,872 83,6.)8 1 15,349 110, '206 115„573 118,'i.38 81, .595 71,603 Average A-^ mount ct tons # annually built J^ 97,011 l(ir the Byt'ars 1 ending 1805. J Year, 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 181'^ 1813 Ships. 606 629 455 448 501 597 870 760 Tonnage 58,772 58,161 46,8.59 51,248 68,281 88,121 115,630 94,198 Average A- niount of tons annually built V. 72,658 for the 8 years ending 1813. Average of the 25 years, ending 5th Jan. 1813, viz. Ships 868.— Tons 76,63$. An Estimate of the Quantity of Oak Timber annu- ally USED FOR ALL MARITIME PURPOSES IN GrEAT Britain, viz. Loads. For the building of new merchant ships, the tonnage of which, instead of 7G,6:)3 tons, which appears, from the above statement, to be the average amount built yearly for the last 25 years, I shall, for the sake of round numbers, state at 80,000, which, at one load per ton, is *-------- - 80,000 For repairing merchant ships t ------- 10,000 For the supply of his Majesty's dock-yards - - - 40,000 Loads - 130,000 • Coiisideiuig that this estimate is made in ref'eienci? to Quebec oak, wiiich is, in genernl, die-sqiiaro, and not under twelve inches upon the side, a load per ton 's more than equal "o the qmmtity requisite. t With the timber obtained iro.ubroken-up ships, 10,000 loads, will con- stitute a sufficient quantity for repairs y2 i .12* Appt^axiiii, \i III t \r .1 k No. 8. A Statoincnt of the rapid Tncrriise ofthc Employment which British- tflv •<-cfiv«''' ("m in our Anu'iicnii Proviiicos, vi/. Shi »»>s M l\'< Amount ot the tuniui^c uii- riiii 143,893 Aiii.juiit ol ilit' re^isti r loii' iia)?t! cli'arcd out from llit' lower ports of the Drilish >rovinc(:s in liie years 1807 i.t J810. Year. 1806 1807 1808' 1809 1810 Number of Ships. 690 671 883 1,132 1,091 Register Tons. 96, Wl 87,543 119,298 148,739 166,101 Gross amount of tlie res;istCT tons cleat <1 out from our North-Ame. rican provinces 124,J47 129,846 189,573 236,564 309,994 Estimate of the Amount of the Freights of the Exports from our American Provinces in the Years 1806 and 1810 respectively, sUewiiii; the Increase in tho course of these four Vrars. Amount oi' tiic register tonnage of ships cleared out from Quo- bee in 1806. - - 33,996 a ^8 per ton, Ditto, ditto, in 1810, 143,893 a ditto - - Amount of tiie remister tonnage cleared cut from the ports of tlie Lower Provinces in 1806, - - - - 90,251 a ditto - - Ditto, ditto, in 1810, 166,101 a ditto - - .J'otal amount oftliefreiglitsofthe exports from the Ijiitish American Provinces m 18U6 - Total amount of the freiglits of llie exports from our Brill.sh American Provinces in 1810 Freichts in 1806. 271,968 722,008 993,976 Freiphts ia 1810. 1151,144 1,328,808 2,479,952 s. N. ]i. According to the above statement, tlie ii^crease of freights from Quebec in the four years endiVig in 1810, was- ------ ^b79,176 Ditto, ditto, from the Lower Provinces in 1810, was - - - 606,800 Total increase in tlie four years ending in 1810* ^1,485,976 * Tliis incrtusc in tlie course of these four years exceeds the whole earnings of British ships in all our trade to tlie East ladies and China. ch Rrilish e», vi/. amount of ^ister tons uiit from Drth-Amt! MTuvinces !9.846 J9,673 i6,564 )9,y94 from our iectively. ars. >iglits in 1810. M44 5,808 ),952 0111 Quebec 879,176 606,800 ,48.), 976 : earnings APPENDIX. 325 No. 9. Tke pxtentive and iniproveable Resources of British Ame- rica, oxhibitid by aCJompurattvt; SlutviUiontot' th<< Amount of ruiinati:e cttiareW uut from tb<' I'orln of tiie^u Culuiiies, and the Un'led States, respectively, viz. f ■ I ( Htii'tU (>i4t upon un avtn.ge oj three yt^ars, ending 1772, viz. I i'KMII lIU' CulUlllCI Wllicti ItH'lu., ui.il iiutv toriu the Luitcd Stut:) For Great Bri- tuiu.^ - - -. For the West- Indies - - • Ships, Tons. &ib\ U1,9jJ 2,5!97 111,939 Total Total iiiiiuiinl of Ton mii'e. 19:1,890 Jtoiii the loyal Colonitt which now cotisiiiiiU; llw Hriti-h [(I'lvimrs. For Great Bri- tuiii - - - - I'or the VVfsl •indies - - Shiiw. Tons 250 16 9^ai.' 73.') Total Total lllllOUDt i>i Ton- nage. 10„S17 Anioi;nt of lonnaue cleared out from the British provin CCS for (ireat Britain, the West Indies, 6i.c. in 1810, (being no less tluiii about 30 limes the aiiinunt cleared out in 177:*) i)»' iii'.'t the dinomit cleared out from thecoUmies wliici we tost, atiQ that now form the United States - Ships. Tons. 1,752 Ton; 309,994 190,890 1 l(i,l(>4 Thus it appears, that the toima«;e of the exports, from llie if rovinces which we now possess in America, ejtveei/s that of J the exports which were made fr(»m the colonies which we lost, ■ at the commencement of the late American war, no less than 116,104 to* <, — a mo.st convincing proof of how much more \ consequence our present [)()ssessions, in that country, are to \ u» now than wiiat thoiie wliich we lost were to us at the time ^ they revolted. • \ 326 APPENDIX. \' P u a hi i i,- ^/ u IM !:^ •^1 «i i ; . ! ' u ■ 4 ii* ! i i I i? li- No. 10. The Importance of British America, exhibited by a compa- rative Statement of the Imports which Great Britain has received from these Provinces, and the United States re- spectively, viz. Imported upon an average of six years, ending 1774. From the coloiii -s wliicli revolted and now constitute llie United States. ^1,752,142 From tlic loyal colonies which now constitute, the British American pro- vinces. ^12:, 372 In 1807. From the United States, being the year pr':ceding the restrictions im- jwstd by the American government, and therefore amongst the greatest of our imports from that country. ^6,531,410 From the British provinces. ^2,886.542 In 1808. From the Unittd States.* From the British provinces. ^4,060,605. t In 1809. From the United States.* From the British provinces, ^4,708.824 t In 1810. From the United States.* I From the British provinces. ^5,300,490.t * The reitrictire and hostile measures of tiie American government have intrrnii)(ed any importations beinj; received direct from that country since 1807, except by licence; the amount of these, liowcver, have been but tritlinp sjiire that period. t See remarks upon No. 2. a compa- iritain has States re- 1774. es which now nierican pro- ovinces. rovmces. rovinces. tt rovmces. vernnient have country since ave been but APPENDIX. 327 [No. 10, continued.] Thus it appears that the value of our imports from these colonies, in 1810, amounts to upwards of an eighth part of the average value of the gross amount of our imports from all parts,* and nearly equal in point of value to the East-Indian and Chinese produce and manufactures which we import. This statement, therefore, exhibits a very interesting view of the trade of our American provinces. The vast importance of this valuable branch of our commerce will be seen in the clearest point of view, however, by observing that more than half the value of these imports is derived from the earn- ings of British ships. Although, in point of value, our imports from the East Indies and China, and from our British North American provinces, may be about equal ; yet they differ greatly in favour of the latter, in point of the national advantages, which we derive from our trade with these respective colonial establishments. Three or four ships may import, of the riches of India, to the amount of a million sterling : — but to import, to the amount of a million of lumber, from the Cana- das, an immense fleet of ships, manned with hardy sailors, — our own countrymen, must be employed ! ! * 'JTie average value of our imports, for the last ten years, amounts tt> aboui ^38,000,000, exclusive of tliusc from Irelaiid. W > i ' i H 328 Api»KNDrx. I: ' V I \ '•? di i. I'. * ir, No. 11. Tlio jrront '.md r.j|)i a nij»aialiv(' Slato- inenl oi the \'iiUir of our Ia)m»iIs Io IIk- I'liittni Slates, and lo our •\iiH'ii(.';ui (\ , vi/. r jMporfai upon on avi'rni:;c of t fine i/cdrs, indiiiii; in 177 4. r NIT I- I) SlAI FS. 1(1 the- foltiiiics \vlii('l> rc- vollcd, ami now consliliiir the I'liitod Stulcs - - - nniTisn i'novrN'rrs. To llu' liiyal coloiiiis wliicli now ctiiistilufe tlu- Bii1l-.Ii AiiKMii'uii jirnviiicos - £ .•!70,lll 'Exported in 1807. ! 11,8fl4.,'>1.S To the British fVovinCK* l,7ir,9'J8 Ex|Kiil(>d in 1808. I'o ihc United States alioiii 5/241,731' To tlie British provinces* >,354,44a Exported ni 1809. To lliu l' ailed States t lo the Britisli provinces* ;>,579,748 Exported in 1810, To the United St.ites.t To ihc Bi itish provinces* ■>,510,54'1 • AIkiui j[ 0,000.000 ol ihcst liavc been lor \h^^ I'liitt-d States. See ho. 2. t From llu ojieraiion ol the Anicriean embargo and noii-inlereourse iiica- • jres lew exports were or ceuld be made to the States in ihcp two^ears. APPEMDIX. 320 £ [No. 11, rontinuod.] Tliis slatniicnt ofthr imiount of produce and inRnufac- lures <>xpoil«'d lo our North Amcritan colonies, in the ab- sence of oHicivil doenmPinls, is estimated upon the truest principles which couM he adopted, namely, the amount of the exports from Hiese coh)uies, as slated ui the observations upon No. 2. From a comparison of the relative value of their 4'xporJs and iinptuts, made, at the periods as above stated, with tliose of other countrJt>s »imilarly situated, or, even with Ihc trade of these provinces at i(>rmer periods, it will be found, fr<»ni the propositions stated, and iuferencei drawn in makinfj; this statement that our exports to these parts must be considered rather under than over-rated. The imports of British produce and manufactures, &c, into these settlements, in IHOO, was ,£1,457,588, and, in 1810, £5,510,544, an increase of upwards of one-third of tlie greatest of any one year's demand from the United Slates, and aboui lliree limes the amount annually exported to our vast possessions in the East Indies.* This increase hasno doubt been partly for the supply of the United States. This circumstance, however, does not lessen the importance of these colonies ; but, on the con« trary, increases their consequence, by shewing that the American government have it not in their power to prohibit our manufactures. This commercial facility, afforded us by the local situation of these proviiices, proves ♦he vast impor- tance of which the possession o( Louisiana and the Floridas, from their commanding siluatioo, would be to the British nation in this re^pect. • Tilt' averaue aiiu;uiit of lirili^ili proc'uce and inaniifacturcs, aiuiually ixpcrted IVoni this country, to the Knst Indies and Cliiaa, from 1800 to 1810, was^l.'JlB.W,^ ; and we arc informed, Irom the best authority,' that no increase ia this deiuand need be expected. {«t«^. t|-,.,v n H'- t '*i: ) r- »■ ' »; ,i 1 I I :lf: i 1 t I I V 330 APPENDIX. No. 12. BRITISH IMPORTS. Value of the Imports made into Great Britain, in the Years I ending the 5th January 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, and 1813, viz. 1 FoHF.ir, N EastIn- Years end- ScCoLONiAL Irish DiAN and Total amount Computed ing the atli produce. Produce. Chinese of the official real \ aiue. January. Ollicial value. Official valur. produce. value. £ £ £ £ £ 1804 21,643,577!' 23,986,896 ' ' Including 6,348,887 27,992,464 .___ 1805 Irish produce. 5,2li,62l 29,201,517! 44,>'^'^,(j'.t7 1 806 21,292,870 2,97C,5i'3 6,072,160 30,344,628 j4?.99-..i 'ill 1307 21,841,00.5 3,248,; 31 3,746,771 28,33.5,907) 44,6 li.! 5 1808 21,9.58,382 3,491,767 3,401, .509 2t*.854,6.58 37,48.'-;,4''6 1809 19,869,7i?J 3,910,981 5,848,649 ':9,ev9,353' 5M3j,yo3 1810 26,933,625 3,475,759 3,363,025 33,772,409- 1311 33,146,975 3,280,747 4,708,413 41,136,13,>| 1812 21,201,450 3,313,979 4,106,251 58,626,5601 1813 19,443,574 Not yet made up. Ditto. Pino 1 23,131,807 4,756,698 30,932,627 i ,42,336,943 Average ol' > i the official J Average of value. > 1 1804 to 1 1809. From the above official statement the value of our imports, exclusive of those received from Ireland, the real value of which amounts to about c^ 4,500,000, may be computed to be about £ 38,000,000. According to No. 17 there appears to be 1,433,950 tons of shipping employed in the carriage of these imports ; and reckoning the freights or gross earnings of these ships at <£9 per ton register, it appears that of this .£38,000,000 €12,905,554 has been made up of freight, \iz. F.;rned by British ships, £801,408 a £i) per ton, £7,212,672 Kiirned by foreign ships, £632,548 a ditto, £5,692,i>32 £12,90,':,'>04 Of this €7,212,672, earned by British ships, nearly .£2,500,000 has been in the trade witii our North-Aniericaii < olv/iiies.— .See remarks on No. 2. |i:i r 212,672 002,932 nearly mericau APPENDIX. 331 he Years 7, 1808, No. 13. BRITISH EXPORTS. Comouted real y alue. £ i-i4,6i.?. .',5 4'2,336,9i3 Average of 1804 to 1809. imports., value of puted to )5G tons rts ; and ships at 000,000 Value of the Exports made from Great Britain, in the Years j ending the 5th January, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, and 1813, viz. British pro- Totai a Years end- duce and Foreign and Irish product mount of ing the 5tli maiuiCac- colonial raer- and manufac- ihe official Real value. January. tiM-es. chandizc. ture. ^raluc. £ £ £ £ £ 18^4 22,252,027 9,526,468 ) Including J1,.57R,495 51,109,131 1805 2.5,935,79.3 10,575,.574 S Irish produce. J4,451,367 53,028,881 1806 25,004,3J7 9,552,423 398,085 i4,954,845 '50,482,661 1807 27,402,685 8,789,368 335,131 J6,.527,t84 ,49,969.746 1808 25,171,422 9,105,827 289,322 54,566,.57l 66,017,712' 1809 26,691,69^ 7,397,901 464,404 34,554,267 1810 3.5,104,1,3^' 14,680,514 502,244 >0,286,900 1811 34,923,575 10,471,941 474,343 1-5,869,859 1812 24,131,734 7,975,396 .302,541 32,409,671 1813 31,243,362 11,508,673 489,.506 43,241,541 ■ Average. 27,586,075 9,938,408 406,944 ,37,844,0- 4,122,626 Average of 1804 to 1809. 'i'i 'ivr ■^i^l-^ ' Jl . # i J 332 APPENDIX. No. 14. AMERICAN SHIPPING. A Statement of the Amount of the Tonini^e of American Sln'ps, exclusive of Ships of War, shi-uinii' the imiuense Increase which it has experienced from the SLuriiue which the British Government mac'e of the Rights, ami Privileges, of our Ship-Owners to the United States, t Ii: the Year . 1790 1800 Ffom Oct. 180 j to April, 1808 ^ being two jears & \ half. i Value of'Expcit ji'oii.^ ot .S'jipi'iii owned b^ (lif L'liiied hiaiis. DoHai '. 1(),00(> '0 95,000,000 •118,750,000 4.10,000 p;«,;)oo * 1,433,00.) * 1,911,250 Nunihtr of Seuiiirii. 27.000 * 86,848 * 116,760 Amount of the tonnage of the Anicnoan sliipping in 1 803, exclusive of ships of war ----------- Amount of the tonuage of British sh'"«piii^ in 1608, exdusiTe of ships of yi&t, and those employed m the iransport-service, Amount which the Ambhican tonvace eniiiioycd m trade exceeded that of the WHOLE Uritish sniii-iN owned u: ^.808, exclusive of that empigycd b_y government nt3 Tons. 1.911,250 1,815,^! '30 95,890 Those of the «bove numbers which are distinguished with tn * are not from official documents, but calculated in that ratio of increase which the preceeding years indicate. Indeed, considering the very thriving state of the American shipping in 1805, 180(>, and the beginning of 1807, I have no doubt it is rather under than over-rated. In the above estimation, titere is oRly 120>,000 tons of &bip- ping and 7,200 seamen added for the addition of Louisiana to the United Slates. But, from the shipping actually owned by this newly -acquired territory, and the ships which were built in the Slates in anticipation of this new source of commerce, the American shipping must have, no doubt, received a much greater addition from this French transaction than the amount which 1 have stated. t See tlie observitious concerniiU ilnir iiitcrcinirse witii o\ir VWst- liniifin Scttlemcnis,— on the opening of out colonies to their ships iu general, — • and on the ilitfereuf eliectt produced by the operatiou ol llieir and our conn- lervailing duties. APPENDIX. 333 No. 15. >7.000 J6,B4a 16,760 1,911,2 50 L,815,:3'30 95,890 led with in that Indeed, pping in fubt it is )f &hip- Isiana to med by re built limerce, ]a much ■amount Gross Amou!;t ov the Tonnage op British Merchant Shipping. The Number of Vessels with the Amount of their Tonnage and the Number of Men m\d Boys annually employed in Navigating the same, which belonged to the several Ports of the British Empire,— to the Colonies as well as to the British Islands, on the 30th Sej)!. 1803, 1804, 1805, 180G, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, and 1812, via. Years e.iding 30 Sq>t. Ships. Tons. Men. 1 1803 • 1804 18 5 1 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 19,828 20,713 20,984 21,106 21.192 21,543 21,951 22,.577 22,973 22,996 2,108.990 ' 2,210,508 2,','26,636 2,2(»B,1 69 2,224,720 2,265.360 2,307,189 2,367 ,.'3 94 2,41.5.619 2,421,695 148,600 1 1^8,598 l.>?,642 150,940 152,658 151,781 155,038 158,779 157,063 159,710 Average fov the last 2 teii>eai3 - - J 21,586 2,227,658 153,580 Amountof our shipping in 18GC>, as stated ahove, thai period being the commencement of the interruption of our usual commercial intercourse with the United States - - - . Deduct 450,000 tons, which may be about the amount em- ployed b_y go\erinnent in the transport-service, &c. - - - Gross amount owned and employed for commercial and all other pur{>oses, (except in the service of govcnuiiont,) both at home and abroad, — ni coasting, fialiing, I'oreigu traie, Kc. he. throughout the empire - - ... 'iVus Tons. 2,265,360 450,000 1,815,360 Ir WVst- :neral, — lir cuun- i_L 334 APPENDIX. :■! No. 16\ SHIPPINO ANNUALLY FATI RFl) INWARDS. The Number of Vessels, with the Amount of their Tomiage, | and the Number ol Men and Boys employed in navigating 1 the same, (including their respective Voyages,) which en- | tered INWARDS at t le Ports of Great Britain from all 1 Parts of the World, including Ireland, the Ishind» of Jersey, Guernsey, and Man, and the Whale Fishe- ries, Ac. in tlie Years 17JK), 1791, 1792, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1804, 180 r>, 1808, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810. 1 1811, 1812, and 1813: viz. 1 ar BRITISH FOREIGN. o o-c liiiding 5th Ja- o Joy Ji 1 auar^ . 1790 Ships Tons. Men. Siiips. Tons, Men. 13 c 'C ■'' ^ r; u .-« c 5 o ~ 12,141 1,423,376 2,321 277,599 1 ,700,975 1791 12,494 1,452,498 2,686 321,684 1,774,182 1792 12,0;50 1,587,645 2,477 304,07^ 1.891,719 1799 10„>17 1,575,169 3.012 476,596 2.051,765 1800 10,496 1,379,807 5,512 763,r36 '2,I43.«43 1801 10,347 1,378,620 5,497 780,155 2,158,775 1804 11,996 1,614,365 93,00-1 4,252 638,0,>4 53,660 :2,252,.399 1805 10„50H 1,395,387 82.979 4,271 607,299 30,744 2.002,686 180() 11.409 1,494,075 87,148 4,515 691,703 34,719 2,185,778 1807 I2,ll'' 1,482,412 88,963 3,792 612,800 31,346 2,095,212 1808 1809 ii.yi.'j 1,436,667 84,997 4,087 680,144 32,448 2,116,811 11,316 1,314,241 82.754 1,925 «82,892 15,512 1,.597.I33 1810 l'2,6b6 1,. 539,573 95,796 4,922 759.287 38,285 2,298,860 1811 13.5.57 1.609,588 102,900 6.876 1,176,243 60,094 2,78.5,8.S1 1812 12,908 1,.&22,692 94,740 3.21(i 687,180 34,1.57 2.209.872 1813 13,869 1,579.715 96,371 2,536 51C,443 25a519| 2,098,159 Aver- 12,154 1,498,872 90,965 4,039 665,403 25,648 i '2,164,274 1804. * * RECAPITULATION. Total amount of British snirs annually eiitcod inwards in 1 our trade with forelEu p.ius, upwards of onc-lliird of which has J- of late been in the trade with our jS'or<^h-Aiiierican colonies - J Foreign ships annually entered >nward.s in our trade willi foreign ) parts .-.--..--_.- J Tons. 798,872 66.5,402 Tons 1,463,274. Amount annually, ent'-red inwards from Ireland, Jt;r,sey, Guernsey,) 7nn 000 and Man, and the Whale Fisheries, about - ji ' Gross amount, annually entered inwards, upon an average of the last ten years, as above - Tons 5 2,1 64,27* Tonnape, lavigaling tvliich cn- from ALL slandi of E FlSHE- >9, 1800, 9, 1810, 660 744 719 U6 448 51 '2 285 094 ,1:)? ,519 o o c c 31. or,— 1, 700,97 «> 1,774,182 l,f)91,719 :f,o:»i,765 'i>,l4S,043 2,158,775 2,252,;>99 i?,0()2,f,86 2,185,778 2,095,212 2,116,811 1,597,1:33 2,598,860 2,785,8S1 2,209,872 2,098,15? ,648 2,164,274 Tons. in > has [. 798,87a |S"| 665,402 ons 1,463,274 *y' \ 700,000 ast I IS 5 2,164,274 APPENDIX. 335 No. 17. SHIPPING ANNUALLY CLEARED OUTWARDS. The Nuinher of Vr^se Is, with the Aujouiit of their Tonnage and the Numl>er of Men em ploye«l in navig atin^ ttie same, (includini{theirre^»eateu Voyages,) w hieh cleared oiTWAHDs | at the Ports of Great liiiiTAiN to all t^ARTS OF 1 HE World, including Ireland, the Island s of Jeusey, Guernsey, and M [an, and thr Wuale-F LSHERIlvS, Ac. m the Years 1790, 1791, 1 792, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1804, 1805, 180G, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 181-J, and | 1H13: viz. 1 Years BRITISH. FORELGN. ^> O -T. = •£09 eiuling 5th Ja- J 5 . J . nuary. Sliips. Tons. Men. Ships. Tons. 3reii. -3 3'^^ 3 3 iz 1790 12.560 1,399,233 1,130 148,974 1,. 548,207 1791 13,514 1,511.294 1,306 184,729 1 ,696,02.31 1792 13,391 1,56.3,744 1,138 175,.'>56 1,739,300 1799 11,085 1,302,551 2,292 414,774 1,717,325 1800 11,866 1,445,271 4,893 685,051 2,130,322 1801 10,282 1,345,621 5,626 804.880 2,150,501 1804 11,072 1,444,840 92,943 3,662 574,54V 30,414 2,019,382 1805 11,131 1,463,286 93,748 4,093 587,819 30,507 2,051,1.35 1806 11,603 1,494,968 94,388 3,9.30 605,641 30,9 If 2,100,609 1807 ! 12,239 1,485,725 94,573 3,457 567,988 29,616 2,0.'>3.713 1808 11,428 1,424,10;) 89,715 3.846 631,910 31.411 2,0.56,013 1809 11,923 1,372,810 89,632 l,89i^ 282,145 15,671 1,6.54,955 1810 12,490 1,531,152 192,5.3 4,530 699,750 37,256 2,230,90ii IBM 13,092 1,624,274 107,724 6,641 1,138,527 60,870 2,762,841 1812 12,774 1,507,3.53 96,739 3,350 696,234 37,262 2,203,587 1813 14.328; 1,66.'>,.578 105,00 i 2,647 540,902 27,841 2,206,12( 9^ u 12,208 1,501,408 105,898 .3,804 632,548 33,175 2,133,956 RECAPnULATION. Total amount of British ships annually cleared outwards in our ^ trade with ioroign parts, upwards of one-third of which hat of S late been in the trade with our Nortli-Ameiican coloines - - J Foreign siiips annually clea;ed outwards in our trade with foreign ^ parts i Tons. 801,408 632,548 Carriod forward Tons 1, •133,95'' 336 APPENDIX. ' I'f: d I I ■ ii i 1: ■•> I !|1' {, Brouj^ht lorwurd Tons 1,\yhO!i6 Amount nnmmlly rlcnred outwarrl lor Irrlniul, Jersey, Guern- sey, and Mau. ami tli«i VVlialc Fisherns, about - . - - . \ TOO.OOO Gross amount annually cleared outwards, upon nn averaije of t^*^ ^ y j. •< qca last ten years, as above -.-- Tons j ' ' '• " t Thus it appears, that, of the pjross amount of 'Ilie ton-* | nage of British ships cleared outwards and entered inwards, in our trade with all parts of the world, (except Ireland, Jersey, (ruernsey, lie Isle of Man, and the whale fisheries,) being 801,408 tons, 250,000 to 300,000 tons (no less than the enormous proportion of one-third) has been of late in the trade with our North American provinces. It is, nevertheless, accessary here to observe, that, as there are considerable exports made from our North-American colonies to our West-Indian settlements and foreign countries, the amount, therefore, of tonnage cleared outward and en- tered inwards in our trade direct to these provinces, do not altogether shew so large a pioportion as I have here stated. By minutely investigating the subject, however, it will bo- found that our Custom-house entries and clearances do not indicate the full extent to which our shipping is supported in the trade with our setllenienls in North America. Regarding the tonnage which is cleared out from the ports of our North-American provinces to our West- Indian settle- ments and foreign countries, these provinces must, with refer- ence to the proportionate amount of our tonnage employed in foreign trade, which they support, in justice be put to their credit, luu- it is to be observed that British ships are only employed, and therefore were these exports not macle^ it is evident we must employ proportionably a smaller amount of tonnage. For instance, it sometimes happens that ships are cleared out from this country to the West Indies to take [pro- II i I- !■ APPF.NDIX 337 I roo.ooo urts of our |»ro\incc.s in Norlli Aiucricii,) and Cauudiiui pro- (Incr from tlirucr back to tli«> VVt'sl liidirs, and llirn West- India produro to (iieat Hrilain. Now, alllioniili, in tlir list of ships cleared ontwarda and entertd inwards in the trade of this country, none of sutli vessels appear cleared out for tlie British Norlh- Ainerican pnninces, yet such ships as evidently receive eni))loynienl from the exports made from and the imports niad<' into these provinces, as if they had been <'h'ared cmt- wards and entere«l inwards upon voyages direct between Iheui und (ireat Urilain. Supposing that a voyage direct to the West Indies and back should be six inontlis, and that its beini; exten Hrili^ll Xorth-Americati ' Colonies \ Ncwfouiullaml ' Fisir imjwrtpd from all parts } into the British West Indicj i Excess Cwt Quintals, or Cwt. qrs.ib. 727,700 19 385,992 2 24 1806. 1807. 341,708 1 23 Quintals, or Cwt. qrs.ib. 946,766 1 26 522.823 3 423,942 2 26 Quintals, or Cwt. ijrs.ib. 764,3.57 21 447,426 4 1808. ccmtnt I'ORri Md, a ir. Quintals, i Cwt. qrs, 830,575 3 394,510 3 316,931 17 4.36,268 3 55. ilio iliifc piecL'dini; stjitinients are made up frotn the Accounts (D. ) and (E ) which \ obtamrd from tiie Cnsloni-Houso, in October. 1809, and when the returni of the cx\ from ilic Kind's North-American Colonies tor the last year are produced, they will .show comiiotcncy, as well as the exertions of the British American Colonists, in a more conspic niamicr than in a\iy former year. London, April 12, 1810. Printed by order of the Committee of Merchants "J iiitcre.slcd in the trade and fisheries of his Ma- ^ jcsty's North-Aincricau Colonies - - - - 3 NATHANIEL ATCHESON, Secretary. 06. (D. ) An Account of dry and pickled Fisii imported into the British West Indies, in the }|07. 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808. Fish, Dry, From riie United Kinsdom - - - - I'he British Continental Colonies riie United States ------ fotal imports of Dry Fish - 180.5. Bar. 237 501 148 986 Quintals, 2,774 99,532 118,051 220,357 1806. Bar 365 12 352 729 Quintals. 4,637 113,937 149,556 268,130 1807. r.lQ Bar. IQuirtals. 6,910 128,154 105,004 6.36 181 464 1,281 1808 Bar. 4 > USTO I the Britiih KnrthAmerk tickled) iMfOHi ED intu /, the United Kingdom, ', and 1808. APPENDIX. .Til 1807. 1808. (E. ) ccount of the Quantitij of Dry and Pigki.eh Cod, and of all cUnr Kinds rf Vi^h I'ORren Jrom Canada, Xovu-Scotia, yew Ihiinsuick, Cape-lintou, frince Edward's nd, and h'eufoundland, in the Yeart 1805, 1806, 1807, and 1808, distinguishing each Juiiitals, or Cwt. u.M.lb. 54,3.57 21 47,426 4 16,931 17 QiiintaU, ( Cwt. qrs, 830,579 3 394,510 3 4.36,268 3 ts(D.) and (E ) which 1 the return! of the cx| produced, they will shew lonists, in a more conspic )N, Secretary. [)5. Canada - - Nova-Scotia- - - - - - New 13 1 u Ms wick- - - ■ Cape-Bittoii- - . - - - Prince Kd ward's Island Newloundlund- - - - 06. tish Wat Indiet, in the 1 1807. Bar. Quir.tals. 636 6,910 181 128,154 1808 464 1,281 105,004 Bar. Qu 49 ;i 3,194 14 669 1 Total - - 07. Canada NoTn-Scotia ---... New Brunswick - - - Cape -Breton- - - - - • Prince Edward's Island Newt'oundiand- - - - 239,068 3,912 1 1807. Barrt'ls. .'j0,;)86 31, .'505 31,349 116,040 180 Bar 54,0 53,ii Total - Canada ------•■ Nova Scotia- - - - - . New Brunswick - - - Capo-Breton Prince Edward's Island Newfoundland- - - - Cod. i I^ry. Quintal 1,770 TO.^.V) 8,870 16,.W8 526,380 6J.S,908 l,3lt] 85,4 U) ii.0i;3 7,872 PckU-.i Casks. 29,504 437 11 l,SOo 31, 1. ''w 1.527 44.949 240 7 Salmon. No. Sm'krd 59(i 16,895 17,491 699,198 1,.S04: Total - - - 08. 4,3 CusTOM-HousE, London, Oct. 20, 1809. 112,', Canada -------- Nova-Scotia New Brunswick - - - Ciipe-Brcton- . - - - Prince Edward's Island Newfoundland- - - - ■ Total - - 804,819 150 87,824 13,654 4,721 .525,188 631, 5a7 48,027 275 51,3.5ii aOij 7 100 97'.- 16,566 (!asks 1 731 1 I 1,171 3.88'-' 5,788: 3S9 280 4,660 17,638 12,265 800 97,9(>'.^ 22,2'M i 5,034 1569,751 695.79-1 — — 1,3.3;; — 5.3,176 12,653 154 42,.567 1 60-1 t;V^' 1,81'- h87 — -" — Heiirings .M ACK- ER EI.. Hoxi-^. MU'kl'f! 8,178 8,171 10,38f I Cask 8. J 53' 1,44(. I!;, 149 789 i 20,437 ('asks. 59 100 !,5:)'-' 19,173 52 59 1,79': 45.2.VS 2,141 2.662 7,961 28 1.538 2,669 4,246 10,388 34(1 1 ?,81.M 100 2,2.5;; 5,515 12,66( 1,136 21,993 12,.56ti ! 5.687 ou 1.5,71( 111 13,975 2,080 t6,166 709 ;J9 757 92 484 '.'4 8 1 'J0,215! i;i 2,660 23,62 95 349 44 1.57 .50 i! mm n. i ■» 1 I ) ■ I L i u "1 ii i ','1 INDEX. America, thoroughly aware of the value and growing impor* tance of uur colonies upon her frontiers, shapes her course accordingly, 8. , her jealousy and alarm at seeing the immense extent of her territory along the Canadian frontier just emerging from a dreary wilderness into a fine fertile country, excited by her knowing that the whole profits and advantages to be derived from its commerce must result to the British, whilst they hold possession of the St. Laurence, 20. — — — , the extensive means she possesses for fitting out a navy, 174. , a reformation in the abuses in our commercial arrangements with her a duty which has fallen to the lot of the ministers of the present day, 292. , her rapid growth and immense resources, ibid. , her vast population, 293. ., the enormous increase in her exports, ibid. , her immense shipping, ibid. , the vast acquisition of territory she has acquired without either an army or a navy, but merely by her threatenings and artful negotiations, ibid. Americans, their reasons for conceiving this the most favour- able opportunity ever likely to occur for wresting the Canadas from Great Britaui, 13. 344 INDEX. is u ■I hi it f1» Americans, the British government at a loss how to rank them in the list of foreigners, and, in her dilemma, unfortunately placed theni, in many respects, even upon a much more favourable footing than either British colonists, British ship-owners, or British merchants, 05, «(). ■ ' — , during our last war with them, almost without an army, beat us out of the field, and, without a navy, have ever since awed us into tame submission to the grossest viohition of our maritime laws, 173. so much our superiors at negotiation that the result of all our treaties and commenial regulations with them have been the injury and sacrifice both of the British provinces and of the British shipping, 2B2. American shipping has been reared and supj)orted principally by a sacrifice of the rights and privileges of British ship-owners, 174. ' , one of its principal sources of support has been the exportation ol deals and boards, 177. amount of (No. 14.) 332. American independence ought to have secured to our re- maining American colonies a multiplicity of ])rivilcgcs and advantages, but, by our impolitic measures, it was a death-blow to their prosperity, 196. Agriculture, state of, 52. , means which would promote the extension of, to the waste and unsettled lands in Canada, '122. Agricultural improvements, those of which the land now under cultivation is capable, 225. Agricultiual produce, a list of that exported from the Caiiadas, (No. 1.) 300. Atcheson, Mr. extracts from his \Collection of Reports, re- specting the impolicy of opening the ports of our West-India islands to the ships of the United States, 79. , regarding the hostile measures adopted by the United Stales against our commence, 82, 112, 110. — — , concerning the impropriety of exempting the Americans from an alien or countervailing duty, &c. 120. , respecting the propriety of charging a coun- tei vailing duty equal to thai clmrged by America, 128. INDEX. 345 Britiftli Nortli-Araerican provinces, their markinn; features constitute a subject of the most interesting conse- quence, 2. ■■ - — — . , their important proper- tics, &c. 11. I ■ ■ .. , the rapid improvement of, haH greatly excited the jealousy of the American govern- ment and urged tiiem on to the present war, 12. , the geographical position of, 14. ■ ■ — , the important advantages which their extended frontier bordering upon the United States affords to brititth commerce, IB. their extent of coast navigable or accessible to snips from sea, greater thaa that similarly navigable belonging to the United States, previous to her taking possession of Louibiana, 26. ■ , their fishing coast, &c. 31. -, their soil, climate, inha- bitants, state of agriculture, exports, &c. 36. -, reasons why they have not hitherto supplied our West-India colonies with flour, provisions, lumber, Hcc. 92. -, their extensive, valuable. and improveable, resources. 169. -, of greater importance to the mother-country now than the colonies which she lost at the conclusion of the last American war was to her at that period, 172. -, their capability of sup- plying the mother-country and her West-Indian posses- sions with lumber, 180. — — — — ■ " . ^ .m , American independence which ought to have secured to them a multiplicity of advantages, was, by our own impolitic measures, rather a death-blow to their prosperity, 105. capable of supplying our West-Indian seltlenients with flour, bread, grain, provisions, &c. 190. -, the most important colo- nies we possess and therefore are entitled to an adequate .} XUt INDKX. A \ i ,■ :■ t ■• »li«iT of I homo mruii!nirN in ^(Mirnil, *2'Ml. Urilinh North- Aiiirnniii proviiirm, Ihrir grout Niiporiorily <'4>inp>irn( with our Asiatic ponnoHHionM, iUl. . — ■ - , thrir vhuI importanrr, from roitHtitiiiitff n d«tor of hcochn hy which our niHiiu- fiicturcN cHii ho iulro(hic(^l into the Stntcs over h«r moiit rigid prohihitory inotiHurcK, '295. Ilriti.sh conuurrcc, tlir grout fuciHticM which it munt roroivo, from tlic extended frontier hy which our Ameri<'>ni colonies iind the United >Statos c<»mmunicatc with ench other, 18. British government, in miiny ronpocts, hoen actually loginla- ting in favour of the United States, 7. — — ' , her meiiHUres hotter calculated to pro- mote the interests of the Americans than that of her own colonists, U). . , lior singular conduct in porsovering in !ier endeavours to purchase the friendship of the Ame- ricans hy moan suhmission and concession, 110. *- merchants insulted hy the Kritish government, hy i ? I 1 >- M being told, at the same tinu' that the Amerit ans had the ports of our Kast-ludian settlements open to them, that their being granted the like privilege would endanger the safety of our whole Asiatic possessions, UU Canada, reasons why ilic American g<»vernmenl conceived this the most favourable opportunity for wresting it from Great Britain, 13. , geographical position of, 14. — , the quality of its soil — very superior, 37, — '224. ■ , its climate, 41. " —-, description of its inhabitants, 40. — — — , population of, 47. — , state of agriculture in, i>2. , acivs of cleared land which it contains, 50. fc " ■ - , amount of grain produced in, 58. , principal articles exported from, GO. , capable of proilucing hemp and flax suflicicnt for the supply of the mother-country, 230. *— — — , wherein its danger consits, 238. , in what its safety consists, ibid. Canadian cultivators, their attachments to old established practices might be as easily removed as the local preju- dices of the people of any other country, 228. iNiir.x. :i47 I lie prolrc- Niipcridrilv impoHnnrr, I our niHiiii- rr li«r itiont UHt rroeivp, r Anipriniii ! with ouch ully lofi;iHla- atod t» pro- Ihat of her rieverinir in f the Aiiie- 110. nnirnt, hy ins had the them, that i rndangci m roniM'ivcd wrcstin;; it ?,~-221. &6. ifiicicnt for established ocal pioju- |2«. ()anadian!4, Ihrir loyallv and palriotiini or^ifal importaui <' in the drfcni (• td Hir riinada<«, '240. CaiMKhan poHsmNJonN, risking; thmi uhnoHt unprotcrird uh \vr hav<> hitherto done, rahidatcd to rnc.ilr Ihf dinaHtM;- lioM ol* Ihrir htyal inhahilantK, '21M. (joant, navigahh' extent ol, *ih. • — , one of the nioHt iinporlani properties which eharac- teri/e any counlr>, ihiU. (JidonieH, the hisn which we suNtained in these hy the hist American war, orciiNioned hy Ihe exIravaKunI contempt in which our ^overniucnt h«-id l\w. Annricans an an cue- my, 237. Connuerce, British, — the ^real and important fa(;iiilies which it mnsl receive from the extended frontiers hy which the British North-Ann-rican coh^nivs connnuni cate with the United Slates, IH. , I'rivy-council syHleni of, 142. Commercial greatness of (ircat Britain derived from the Huperior exceih>n<'e oi the British constitution, ihid. ('onntervaihu^ didies, the enormous advantaf^es aUowed the Americans in those charged hy them and us respec- tively, IIU. ■ " ■ ■ ' ■ , have neither for their object the gene- ral policy id' the importation of the goocls which con- stitute the Huhjecl, nor the fund which they furnish, hut are speciticall)' inlende, Quebec, their dimensions, 175. ■ , the manuiacture and exportation of, from Canada, of great importance, and capable of great improve- ment, 170. Englishmen, humiliating circumstance of their being obliged to be metamorphosed into Yankies, merely to gain the confidence of tJie Britisii government, 87. Enemies produce, the mischit^vous eft'ects of our almost un limited hnportation of, 15U. ■ ■ ■ ■ , every species of, of which we could ob- tain sutiicient supplies from our own colonies and friendly nations ought to be prohibited, 152. the three classes under which it ought to be arranged, either for regulating its prohibtlion or im- portation, 156. Exports, Canadian, a list of for the last ten years, 300. , value of, in the years lKd 1810, :104. nces for ates con- lumerous II red and and our >ur maii- sli Ame- ind,338. olonies, 1 settle- the St. i, to be INDEX. 349 .>«iii|>|»ed by Anieiicuii lihipi lo our Wosl-lndian wttle- iniiits, "liiO. • — — , tbe ineanti which nii|{ht br rendered rf- feclual fur drawing a quantity of, from the United. States hide of ttie St. Laurence, suHicient for the Nupply of 4.UI- VVc!>(-lndian .settlement:^, and thereby secure the cairiage of them to our own ships, 219. Frontiers, th«' exient of, by which the Britisii North-American proviniesand the United States have now be^un to meet, upwards of 1200 miles. 'I'hc Kdvuntagesi to be derived from this circumstance, 20. Flax, method of cuklivaling it in Canada. Good crops generally produced, but destroyed hi the management, 00. , were each farmer in Canada to raise only an acre of, for exporlution, a <{uantity suliicient to supply the demand of the mother-country would be thereby produced, 234. Geographical ^tosiliun of our North-Ainerican provinces, 14. Government, the lUitish, have not only been countenanced by the country in general in making sacrifices to Ame- rica, but ha>e been almost invariably urged en to further concessions, 287. Grain, quantity produced hi Canada, 58. Hemp, failure of the attempts liilherto luade to introduce its cultivation in Lower Canada accounted for, (J3. • , failure of the Canadians in their attempts to raise it, occasioned by their ignorance of the management of it in particular, and the want of success ot those who have pretended to instruct them bus arisen from an ignorance of agriculture in general, 04. only one acre of, cultivated by each farmer in Canada, would produce a quantity suthcient to sup- ply the mother-country, 234. Imports, of britisii manufactures, &c. into our North- American colonies, V -lue of, 311. — — - , British, from all parts, value of. The proportion of tiiese which is made up of the freight of British ships, and how much of this Ireight in the trade with our American colonies, 328. Indians, the^ neither eateeui us because wo are British, nor hate our enemies merely because they are Ameri- cans ; but, as well as civilized nations, mu^^t hue more solid considerations for their friendship, 241. k 350 INDEX. i ! 'i I % i\ Indians, the circumstances which secure to us their friendly alliance, 241, 242. , the nation greatly indebted to the North-West- Company for the friendly disposition of, 243. -, their alliance in the last American war, had it not been for the culpable ignorance of our negotiators would have secured to us what now constitues one of the richest and best portions of the United States, 244. Lords of the Committee of Privy Council, their observa- tions regarding the United States, recommending a proper respect being paid to the laws of the land, and an observance of the rules adhered to by other nations, in prohibiting the ships of foreign countries from en- tering the ports of our colonics, 70, 80. Lumber, the Americans, restrictions upon their own com- merce, and Buonaparte's continental system, have fully convinced us of the capability of our provinces in North America to supply, not only our West-Indian possessions, but also the mother-country with that article, 187. , the low duty charged in Great Britain upon that imported from America, has greatly encreased the American shipping, and proportionably crushed the growth of ours, 113. -, the absurdity of our ever having admitted, the high freight to which that of America, on account of distance, is liable, as a plea for a diminution of duty, 140. -, capability of the British North- American colonies h to supply the mother-country and all her other colo- nies with, 180. ^ the increase which the Canadian exports of, ex- perienced in only four years, equal to the supply of our West-Indian settlements, 184. Licensing system, 142. Licence, destructive effects of our almost unlimited impor- tations of enemies produce by, 150. Louisiana, the impolicy of which our government has been guilty, in allowing the Americans to take possession of, 248. , taken possession of by the Americans, in trust for Buonaparte, 2(t7. lii .■?.! r friendly )rth-West- lad it not legotiators es one of ates, 244. observa- lending a and, and T nations, from en- >wn com- lave fully vinccs in ?st-Indiai> with that ipon that ?as«'d the ished the itted, the count of of duty, colonies lier colo- s of, ex- ly of our impor- las been >ssession trust for INDEX. 351 Louisiana, its value to us ^r^atly enhanced by its contiguity with our West-Indian islands ; by the door it would open for the introduction of our manufactures, both into the United States and Mexico, 268. — , by possessing it and the Canadian provinces, our territory would completely surround the United States, and thereby place at our disposal the whole Indian force, by which we could keep the Americans in check, almost without the aid of British troops, 260. the act of our taking possession of, would be attended with so many important advantages to the in- habitants as would secure their firm attachment to onf interest, 270. Manufactures, our exports of, important to the nation at large, in proportion to their great value, but of com- paratively small consequence to our ship-owners in proportion to the smallness of their tonnage, 101. Marking-features which constitute the essential character of our North-American colonies, 2. Ministers allowed America to gain more by negotiation, in making the last peace with her, than she had gained by a bloody contest of seven years, 24V. ■ , being at last sensible of the impolicy of further concession to America began to retract, 288. have not only been countenanced in making sa- crifices to the United States, but have been also invariably urged on to the most mean and submissive concessions to them, 287. in attempting to reform the abuses in our trade with the United States have been assailed both by the op- position in parliament, who have been the constant ad- vocates of the Americans, and by the clamour of an interested party from various parts of the country, 289. Nova Scotia, geographical position of, 14. New Brunswick, } '.( fri i ■ ■ ^! iH 1 I :♦ I. ' i.i i !1 i I, " < 352 INDEX. NavijB^tion, the principal snurci> from whi'iice fio>vs the Hches and indt^peridence of nations, 2.>. Navigation-laws, relaxation of, to the United States, by openinjy: the ports of our colonies to their bhipK, 7B. *■■■• ■', the suspension of, by the act of 23 (reo. *' IFI. c. 39, as far as related to the United States, placed in the power of the Privy Council, who, by virtue of this act, have persevered in a shameful system of concession to the American jjovernment ever since, li). North-West-Company, the British nation in a 4ireat mea- sure indebted to that eslabiishment for the friendly alliance of the Indians, 243. Negotiators, the enormous sacrifice of the British interest • made by those appointed to conduct our negotiations in making the last peace with America, 245. Oak Timber, quality of, Ac 109. ■ ' ' , (|uantity of, exported annually from Quebec, 300, 309. , quantity of, used in Great Britain, for all maritime pur|>oses, 323. Pine, yellow and red, their quality, &c. 173. • .' • Quebec, ships built at, the great ditferencc in the quality of, accounted for, 171. St. Laurence, the rivr of, must be the channel of the trade of all that immense extent of American territory upo» its south banks, just emerging from a difeary wilder- ness into a fine fertile country, — its importance to Great Britain on that account, 20. ■ ■ ■ ) the river of, a few of the advantages re- sulting to Gre^t Britain, from the navigation of it, and the chain of lakes which it unites, 22. the natural channel for the trade of all that vast fertile country upon the banks of it and its lakes,- nothing snort of the confused and vacillating dis])osi- tiou of all our concerns in that quarter, as has hitherto existed, will prevent our reaping the whole profit of the coumierce of that country, 205. Ships, Quebec-built, the dillereme in their quality and the variety of opinions respecting that circumstance accounted for, 171. , British, a table shewing the amount of the tonnage of, annually built in Great Britain, 323. , the amount of the tonnage of, annually cleared out from Quebec, for fourteen years, 324. iNbfiX. 353 M flows the tates, l)y >«, 78. 2» (;eo. J>Iace(l in ue of this oncessicm vat nwd- ' liicndly h inierost gotiatioDS Quebec, I, for all uality of, he trade »ry upon wii(ler- ti> Great »,«es re- n of it, all that akes, — disposi- ^litherto t of the ty and istance )nnage nually 9hips, British, the amount of the tonnage of, cleared out from the whole ports of British North-America, for five years, its great amount, 324. Shipping, and commerce, our enormous sacrifice of, to the United States, 75. ■ • ■ ~ — , American, one of the principal sources of its support has bceri the exportation of deals and hoards, 177. ■■ — , Amefican, a table shewing the amount of the tonnage of, which exceeds that of the British merchant shipping, except that employed by government, 332. , British, depends principally upon our imports for support, l91. , merchant, the gross amount of, 333. -^ — , a table shewing the amount of, annually entered Inwards, at the ports of Great Britain, from all parts of the world ; shewing also, what proportion was from foreign ports, and how much of this British ; and also, what proportion in the trade with our American colo- nics, 334. — '■ — , a table shewing the amount of, annually cleared outwards from Great Britain to all [)arts of the world ; shewing also, what the proportion to foreign ports announted to, and how much of this cleared out to foreign ports was British, and, likewise, what propor- tion of :t to our North-American colonies, ;J35. , upwards of one-tiiird of all the British shipping cleared out to foreign parts, supported by the trade with our North-American provinces, iOid. Ship-owners, British, the great disadvantage under which they labour from the high price o^their ships in any competiljon with foreigners for freight, 163, 320. Ship-wrights and saihirs, British, by a scheme founded by American wisdom, foresight, and low cunning, upon British imbecility and pusillanimity for turning over the British shipping to America, have been sent to the United States to build and man the American shipping, 286. Soil of the Canadas, quality of, 37. Statesman, tlie subjects with v\ liich he should be acquainted to enable him to negotiate to advantage concerning our American colonies, 3. Staves, Americiui, at this very moment only chargeable at a' a nr»4 INDKX. It r r \ \' i .^i, oiip-lliinl lii«^ duty wliicli is clinrKod upon tliusc im|mrtcd iVoiu cniintrirn in ilic .slriclost aniitY ^itli os, 117. StavrH, Qurhoo, an inipoitaul item of t)ic Canadian exports of Unnbor, 17J<. ■ ■■ ■ , tlH'lr quality considered, in the London mar- ket, e<|ual to that oi' those imported iVom Dantzic, ibid. >, quantity of, exported from Quebec, 17U. Timber, theh)w duty chargetl in Great Ikitain, upon that inq)orted from America, has greatly increased the Ame- rican shipping, and pruportionably crushed the growing pi-osperily of our own, 1 13, — , the absurdity of our ever having admitted the high freight of thai of America is liable, on account of dis- tnnce, as a plea for a diminution of duty, 14U. ^, capability of the Hritish North-American colonies to supply the mother-country and all her other colonies with, too , Canadian exports of, increased tive-fold in the course of four years, liV2. , the increase which the Canadian exports of, txperi enced in only tour years eipial to the sup|>ly of our West-Indian seltlemenls, 1H4. Talleyrand, his description of the fertility and other valua- ble properties of Louisiana, terms the river Mississippi the Nile of America, 24}{. —————, extract from a pamphlet which lie wrote, stimu- lating the goveinmeul of his country to take measures for securingf the possession of Louisiana, 249. Trideut, o\tr government systematically yielding it up, by mean concession, to the Americans, who, being thereby encouraged to attcnq)t wresting it from us by force, have thereby saVed it to us for the present, 280, 287. I'niteil States government, reasons why they conceived this the n\ost favourable oppoilunily for wresting the Cana- thts from Great Britain, lit. I ■ ^ priHluce of, admitted into (heat Britain at the same rate of peoph* «»f, before the commencement of the present hostihties, have been by our government put npon a more favonrabh* footing with us than our true and faithtui ('iuiadian cohuiisis, whose bh)od and treasure were and are at this very moment chearfiilly sacrificed to the salvation of our Canadian provinces' 2B0. West-Indian colonies, reasons why our American provinces liave not hitherto snj)plie'5in;a ^Tiirkiir ji> iff g*' ^y Viaii»<»MWi.irfc>ji n^iniWW ■ !!■' ■ t;j'ib'>/;''. (r.'^ii-fl .;;««*•»■« •> ^l>ih.}itfU ,'j.>?it;« »•• -ii^'i' - liM lii^;. .:i <".:.' ,U\' huh ^!^^■l3Ju/i; =», u-* i; j...«{Jii Jj'ij; • •!! X.; r,' -^iiis '.1 •. •; -O J ) tl U - . I 1 I . i " ijui' ,if'.-;nft'i» fiJ/-. r,; ('.if/ • vi' i.l ifV'Mlv; u bin. ■ fl'W ^ MM ^^ Marchant and Galabki, Printers, Ingram-Court, L«ndoiiu l''^< ' ■ ii Hn» .«Jt.., ,„ •*o^ mil iKts: ill. it T ■ i.v :> . » ; i "# ./7 h>,. nduit.